If you use chewing tobacco, you're 80 percent more likely to have oral cancer. If you want to minimize that chance, next week is a chance to say you're "Through with chew."
Through with Chew Week will be held February 20-26, 2011, with the Great American Spit Out on Thursday, February 24th. The annual health observance was established in 1989 by the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Inc., with a goal of decreasing the use of spit tobacco and increasing awareness of the negative health effects of using these products.
Spit tobacco, also known as chewing tobacco or snuff, contains 28 cancer-causing agents. Use of spit tobacco increases a user’s risk of oral cancer by 80%, and the risk of esophageal and pancreatic cancer by 60%. Oral cancer, the eighth leading cause of cancer in men, is one of the most difficult cancers to diagnose, treat, and cure. Only half of those diagnosed survive longer than five years. Tobacco use is a leading cause of oral cancer, and quitting tobacco today immediately lowers the health risks associated with use.
In addition to traditional spit tobacco, there are numerous other forms of new and emerging tobacco and non-tobacco nicotine products available on the market today. The tobacco industry markets these products as an alternative to smoking cigarettes, and portrays the products as less harmful than smoking cigarettes. However, there is no evidence indicating these new products are any safer. Quitting tobacco use or addiction to nicotine is one of the best steps that people can take to improve their health.
According to Dr. Michael P. Collins, Medical Director for Grand Traverse and Benzie-Leelanau District Health Departments, “The most challenging aspect of these new products is their appeal to young people. The packaging, advertising, and flavors of these products are very difficult to distinguish from candy. Kids can begin a lifetime of addiction to nicotine with these products, and be at risk for all of the health issues associated with tobacco use. We want parents and kids to be aware that these products are not a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes.”
Some of these new tobacco and non-tobacco nicotine products are being sold and marketed in various venues within the community. “The local health departments and tobacco coalition will be conducting a Community Scan this year to identify where these products are being sold,” states Lisa Danto, Coordinator, Traverse Bay Area Tobacco Coalition, serving Benzie, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau Counties.
To help with the Community Scan project or to learn about local tobacco addiction treatment options, contact Lisa Danto at (231) 271-3684 or Ldanto@mac.com. For other help in quitting tobacco use, talk with your healthcare provider or contact the Michigan Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-784-8669. For more information about Through With Chew Week visit www.throughwithchew.com.
