Spit Tobacco
Spit tobacco is a general term for any form of tobacco that is placed in the mouth. Some common terms are oral or moist snuff, loose leaf, or plug. Common brands are Copenhagen, Skoal, Grizzly and Kodiak.
Health risks:
Spit tobacco is not safer than cigarettes. Spit tobacco contains 28 ingredients that have been proven to cause cancer of the mouth, esophagus, pharynx, larynx, stomach, and pancreas. It also causes leukoplakia, a disease of the mouth characterized by white patches and oral lesions on the cheeks, gums, and or tongue. It occurs in more than half of all users in the first three years of use, and 60-78% of all users have oral lesions.
Nicotine is the addictive ingredient in tobacco. The amount of nicotine absorbed from spit tobacco is 3 to 4 times the amount delivered by a cigarette1. In other words, one can of snuff or dip equals about four packs of cigarettes2. Nicotine is absorbed more slowly from spit tobacco than from cigarettes, but more nicotine per dose is absorbed from spit tobacco than from cigarettes. Also, the nicotine stays in the bloodstream for a longer time3.
Spit tobacco in Northern Nevada
US Smokeless Tobacco, the largest manufacturer of spit tobacco, is having a larger and larger presence in our communities. They give out free samples at many of our traditionally family events and when possible they appear as sponsors of these same events. They have even advertised for a promotional position in the UNR magazine Sagebrush. All of this in an attempt to increase their market share by addicting our friends and family.
Unfortunately at many of these family events, children are often exposed to and believe this marketing. It becomes apparent when we look at youth chew use. Among all high school seniors who have ever used spit tobacco, almost three-fourths began by the ninth grade4.
What Nevadans are trying to do about spit tobacco:
Across our state Nevadans are trying to spread the word about spit tobacco and the Companies that make it. We are trying to educate event organizers and all people on the harm these companies cause in our communities and the importance of turning down sponsorship monies. Our community events should not be bankrolled on a deadly product that is being marketed to our children.
Rodeo
Watching cowboys and cowgirls rope calves, ride bucking horses and bulls, and barrel race around the arena is exciting! Our children look up to cowboys and cowgirls as role models. But when tobacco companies sponsor rodeo participants and advertise their products in and around the arena, kids are subjected to their message and encouraged to use tobacco. We would like our local rodeos to continue to have a positive impact on our children without the involvement and influence of the tobacco industry.
Quitting:
There are a number of local resources that can assist you or someone you love in quitting tobacco. If you have tried to quit before, remember that quitting takes practice.
Additional Information:
For more information visit:
www.BuckTobacco.org
www.ThroughwithChew.com
www.NSTEP.org
CDC - Smokeless tobacco fact sheets
1 Cancer.gov
2 NSTEP.org
3 Cancer.gov
4 Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Fact sheet - Smokeless Tobacco and Kids. www.tobaccofreekids.org