This SOUNDS like lichen planus, which your doctor is right is not related to tobacco use. Leukoplakia however is, and is common on the palate of smokers and the vestibule between the lips/cheeks and mandible in spit tobacco users. Both can have that lace like look, but it is most commonly associated with lichen planus. Lichen planus has never been shown conclusively to be a pre cancerous condition. Only 25% of leukoplakias turn into malignancies. That you have had LP elsewhere makes you a good candidate for it as your diagnosis.

Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.