Health Officials Kick off ‘Through With Chew Week’
The Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program (MTUPP) of the Department of Public Health and Human Services will kick off a statewide campaign next week to raise awareness about the dangers of spit tobacco use.
“Through With Chew Week,” Feb. 18-24, will include local and statewide activities designed to prevent and reduce spit tobacco addiction in Montana.
Spit tobacco contains 28 cancer-causing substances, as well as four times the nicotine of a cigarette, according to Linda Lee, MTUPP supervisor.
“Smokeless does not mean harmless,” she said, “and we want all Montanans to know that spit tobacco is not a safe alternative to smoking. In fact, it’s even more addictive.”
Lee noted that 13 percent of Montana men use spit tobacco, a rate that is twice the national average. Twenty-seven percent of Montana high school senior males are users.
“These Montanans are 50 times more likely to develop oral cancer than nonusers,” she said.
Yet, according to Kimberly Koch, an MTUPP health education specialist and coordinator of the week’s events, a recent survey of Montana high school students revealed that only 45 percent believe that using spit tobacco is a health risk.
“We have an obligation to stop the tobacco industry from addicting another generation,” she added.
A highlight of Through with Chew Week will be the Great American Spit Out, a day designated to help and encourage spit tobacco users to quit. Modeled after the Great American Smoke Out held each November, this year’s Spit Out will be Thursday, Feb. 22.
Another highlight of the week will be the appearance of Cowboy Ted Hallisey, a health educator and former rodeo radio announcer who is the spokesman for the Buck Tobacco Sponsorship and the National Tobacco-Free Rodeo projects. He will visit schools in seven counties around the state, presenting his eight rules for healthy living and discussing the dangers of spit tobacco addiction with local children.
Lee said the Montana Tobacco Quit Line, funded by MTUPP, can help people who want to quit spit tobacco be more successful in their attempt. The service offers free telephone counseling and nicotine replacement therapy. Calls are toll-free at 1-866-485-QUIT (7848).
MTUPP is also working with dental health care providers, businesses, public schools, libraries, and local organizations to ensure that all Montanans get the message that spit tobacco is addictive and endangers health. The program has contacted dental offices statewide, encouraging dental health care providers to ask their patients about spit tobacco use and refer users to the Quit Line. The program has also offered every Montana dental office up to four free kits designed to test for oral cancer associated with spit tobacco addiction.
The American Cancer Society recommends that those who use spit tobacco get regular oral health screenings from their dental care providers.
“Oral health care providers have an important role to play in raising awareness of the health risks associated with spit tobacco and helping users to quit,” said Stacy Campbell, a cessation specialist with MTUPP who is coordinating distribution of the kits.
“Through With Chew Week” was established in 1989 by the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Inc., to decrease spit tobacco use and increase awareness of the negative health effects of using these products.
For more information, contact Linda Lee at 406-431-6658 or 406-444-9617.
Page last updated: 02/16/2007
