Dangers of Smokeless Tobacco
June 20, 2003
Chew, snuff, pouches, loose-leaf, straight, can, roll, dip, spit…sound familiar? If you are a smokeless tobacco user, this is common every-day terminology. While these terms are descriptive of smokeless tobacco, have you heard these names? Polonium 210 (nuclear waste), formaldehyde (embalming fluid), cadmium (used in car batteries), cyanide, arsenic, benzene, lead (nerve poison), and nicotine (addictive drug). These are a few typical ingredients found in your tobacco, both smokeless and smoking.
For many people, the dangers and consequences of using smokeless tobacco are common knowledge. Using tobacco in this fashion can cause cancer of the mouth, leukoplakia (white, leathery patches in the mouth), heart disease, as well as gum and tooth disease. Socially speaking, the bad breath, discolored teeth and constant spitting can have adverse affects on your work and social life. Aside from that, more serious effects could include oral cancer which can lead to surgery to remove parts of your lips, cheeks, tongue or face.
Many smokeless tobacco users are well aware of the risks and consequences of using this substance. They are also aware that smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to smoking, it just moves your health problems from your lungs to your mouth. What many smokeless tobacco users, wanting to quit, may not be aware of is how to start the cessation process. Common cessation methods include quitting cold turkey or slowly weaning yourself from the tobacco. It may also be helpful to: figure out why you want to quit, pick a quit date, ask your friends and family for support and encouragement, find activities to keep your mind off spit tobacco, and reward yourself when reaching various benchmarks.
Thinking about quitting chew? The Kiowa County Tobacco Education and Prevention Program has quit kits, brochures, and alternative non-nicotine products available for your cessation assistance. The Colorado State Public Health and Environment also has free support for smokeless tobacco cessation. Call 1-800-639-QUIT or logon to www.coquit.net.
Quit kits are available at the Kiowa County Nursing Service, Eads and Wiley Medical Clinics, and Kiowa Healthmart. If you have any questions or need more information, contact Pegi Hueller at 438-5938 or 438-5492.