| QUITTING CHEW IS HARD TO DO. TOBACCO COMPANIES LIKE IT THAT WAY. |
| What is "Smokeless" Tobacco? Snuff (finely cut, ground or powdered tobacco) is sold as dry and moist. Moist snuff sold in small round tins is the type most commonly used by 8 - 12 year olds. A pinch or dip is packed between the cheek and gum or lower lip and gum; it is not actually chewed. Chewing tobacco is sold in plugs or bricks, or in twist or loose-leaf form (sold in pouches), held in the cheek and chewed. No Smoke Means Not As Dangerous - Right? WRONG. Don't fall for this tobacco lie. 80% of young people in one survey believed dipping and chewing is not as dangerous as cigarettes. Here is the truth about dipping and chewing: 1. Spit tobacco causes cancer of the mouth (including lips, tongue and cheeks) and throat. 2. Holding tobacco in one place inside the mouth causes a white, leathery patch to form. This is called leukoplakia. If you find one of these in your mouth, see your doctor immediately. 3. Constant flow of nicotine into your body causes increased heart rate, raised blood pressure and greater risk of heart attack and strokes. Nicotine in your body also constricts your blood vessels - this slows reaction time and causes dizziness. Not the best move if you are an athlete! 4. Spit tobacco permanently discolours your teeth and causes bad breath. Prolonged use causes your gums to recede and your teeth to fall out over time. 5. Spit tobacco contains sugar which causes cavities. 6. Pain is not a symptom when oral cancer begins. Dental checkups are important for early detection! 7. Black hairy tongue: This is a fungal infection caused by "smokeless" tobacco. Hair-like fungi cultivate and grow on the tongue. |
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| CHEW THIS OVER! GROSS-OUT GALLERY |
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| "smokeless tobacco" mouth |
| TIPS FOR QUITTING - THE GOOD NEWS! 1. Pick a quit date. Throw out all "smokeless" tobacco. 2. Ask your doctor about tobacco cessation clinics you can go to. 3. Substitute something else for spit tobacco: sugarless gum, sunflower seeds, raisins work. 4. Ask for help from your friends, family, teachers, coaches. 5. Do you have a friend who also wants to quit? You can support each other. 6. Reward yourself. Set aside the money you would have spent on spit tobacco and treat yourself to new CD's, clothes, concert tickets - whatever will make you glad you quit! |
| Thanks to the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery for factsheets and information. |
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| QUIT THE SPIT® DON'T BE SUCKED IN BY TOBACCO! email us for details of youth mentored chew and smoking cessation workshops |