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Through with Chew Week

Posted by Kristin Harms

Feb 10, 2016 12:47:08 PM


The week of February 14-20, 2016 is designated Through With Chew Week, to call attention to the dangers of using smokeless tobacco, which includes chewing tobacco, spit tobacco, dip, snus, and snuff.

The use of smokeless tobacco products remains prevalent in some California communities.1 This is a concern because chew products can contain a higher concentration of nicotine and be more habit-forming than cigarettes. 2,3 

Smokeless tobacco products also contain at least 28 chemicals known to increase the risk of developing cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas. In addition, these products are linked to oral health problems like mouth sores, gum recession, tooth decay, bad breath, and permanent discoloration of teeth.


Cancer Causing Chemicals in Smokeless Tobacco

 Warning signs of possible health problems from chew include:

  • A lump in the neck
  • Change in voice
  • A growth or white spots inside the mouth
  • Swallowing problems
  • Persistent earache
  • Blood in saliva or phlegm
  • Changes in the skin
Support Through with Chew Week by talking to your patients and clients about quitting smokeless tobacco and referring them to the California Smokers' Helpline for free telephone counseling and self-help materials to quit. For more information visit http://www.nobutts.org/chew or download our free patient fact sheet.

1.California Department of Public Health, California Tobacco Control Program. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). 2013.

2. Centers for Disease and Control. Through with Chew. 2015 http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/calendar/feb/through_with_chew

3. National Cancer Institute. Smokeless Tobacco and Cancer. 2010. http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/smokeless-fact-sheet


 

 




About this Blog

The California Smokers' Helpline offers free, evidence-based tobacco cessation services in multiple languages to help smokers quit. We also offer free training and resources to health professionals to increase their knowledge and capacity for tobacco cessation.

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For more information about our free training and resources for health professionals, please contact the Helpline Communications Department at (858) 300-1010 or cshoutreach@ucsd.edu.

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