Spit Tobacco

Smokeless Does Not Mean Harmless!

There has been a lot of talk about the dangers of smoking but what about the dangers of spit tobacco? It is not a safe alternative to cigarettes. In fact a “pinch” of spit tobacco contains the nicotine equivalent of 3-4 cigarettes.

Spit tobacco is not a safe alternative to cigarettes because it contributes to:

• oral and throat cancer
• tooth loss
• nicotine addiction

Spit tobacco contains many chemicals some of which are cancer-causing:

Did you know?

• South Dakota has one of the highest rates of spit tobacco use by high school students in the nation.
• 23.5% of high school males in SD use spit tobacco compared to 11.0% nationally.
• 17% of makes 18-24 use spit tobacco in South Dakota.
• The spit tobacco industry targets sports enthusiasts, in particular baseball, rodeo, motor sports, hunting, fishing, and even golf fans with its advertising.
• Nearly one person will die every hour from oral cancer in the United States.

Taken from the SD Department of Health Tobacco Control Program
http://doh.sd.gov/Tobacco/
For more information on how to quit visit our cessation page.

Good Role Models?
In 2003, more than 1 in 3 major league baseball players used spit tobacco, primarily moist snuff. Athletes are also the largest marketing source for spit tobacco, and are often seen on TV using it during a game. They exert considerable influence as negative role models for youth.
Taken from:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_13X_Quitting_Smokeless_Tobacco.asp?sitearea=&level

Early Detection May Save Your Life.

Spit tobacco users should check monthly for damage to teeth, gums, the tongue and surrounding tissue. Discolored skin, bumps, soreness, or a sore that does not heal within 2 weeks may be the early warning signs of cancer. Use a mirror and good lighting and follow these steps:

• Face and neck: Look in the mirror. Do both sides of your face and neck look the same? Gently press your jawbone to feel for lumps.
• Check lips and gums: Pull down your lower lip. Are there white or red patches or sore that bleed easily? Are there any signs of irritation, like tenderness, burning or a sore that will not heal? Look very carefully at where you place your tobacco. Do you see changes in color or rough areas?
• Squeeze your lip and cheek between your fingers. Are there bumps or soreness?
• Roof of the mouth: Tilt your head back and open wide. Do you see any discoloration, sores, bumps, or swelling?
• Floor of the mouth: Put the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth. With one finger, press around the floor of your mouth. Do you feel sores, bumps or swelling?
• Tongue: Stick your tongue out. Grab it with a clean piece of cloth or paper towel. Move your tongue from side to side. Do you see any color changes or bumps?

If you answer YES to any of these questions, see a doctor or dentist right away. Be sure to tell them that you use spit tobacco.

Courtesy of the South Dakota Department of Health Tobacco Control Program

People have visited this page since October 6,2006.