"Through With Chew Week" upcoming
“Through With Chew Week” is an annual event designed to prevent and reduce chew tobacco use.
The Sanders County Tobacco Use Prevention Program is raising awareness of the health effects of smokeless tobacco use, and is encouraging chewers to quit on Thursday, February 24th, the date of the Great American Spit Out.
According to the National Cancer Institute, chewing tobacco contains 28 different cancer causing substances. Users have a greatly increased risk of developing oral cancers, which can include cancer of the lip, tongue, cheeks, gums, and the floor and roof of the mouth. In addition, smokeless tobacco is especially addictive because of the amount of nicotine absorbed from smokeless tobacco is 3 to 4 times the amount delivered by a cigarette.
In an effort to detect early signs of oral cancers and help chew tobacco users quit, Garry Pitts, DDS
(826-3611) has offered to conduct free oral screenings. Smokeless tobacco users, who are concerned about their health, can call Dr. Pitt’s dental office during the month of February to schedule an appointment for a free screening. Dr. Pitt’s can also provide information and resources to help users quit.
Montana’s smokeless tobacco is one of the nation’s highest according to the Montana Tobacco use Prevention Program, with 13% of adult male and 17% of 12th grade students using smokeless tobacco.
“One of the new challenges we are facing relates to new smokeless tobacco products that are hitting the market,” said Jan Parmelee, Sanders County Tobacco Prevention Specialist. “The tobacco industry is aggressively marketing a new line of highly addictive smokeless products. Children and teens are attracted to their sweet flavors and enticing packaging and will quickly become addicted by the high levels of nicotine”, says Parmelee.
Through With Chew Week draws attention to the health dangers in using all forms of tobacco and the availability of free cessation services through the Montana Quit Line.
This week-long campaign was established in 1989 by the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery to decrease smokeless tobacco use and increase awareness of the negative health effects caused by using these products. For more information, contact Jan Parmelee at the Sanders County Tobacco Use Prevention Program at 927-6900. If you need help quitting, call the Montana Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT NOW.
The counseling is free, the nicotine replacement therapy (patch, gum, lozenge) is free and prescription medication Chantix ($25.00 per month) and bupropien costs ($5.00 per month).