Advocates challenge people to be 'Through with Chew'

by Sandra Gubel

Sanders County Tobacco Prevention Specialist

Are you up for the challenge? In current commercials and advertising, 30-year rodeo champion Heath Ford is featured urging people to “Be Rodeo Tough. Quit Tobacco.”

Smokeless tobacco is a dangerous form of nicotine addiction, which puts Montanans at risk of cardiovascular disease, oral cancers, diabetes and severe periodontal damage. Join with people across the nation this week – Feb. 17-23 – to quit smokeless tobacco and give yourself the gift of health.

“Through with Chew Week 2019” is designed to raise awareness about the variety of dangerous nicotine-containing products the tobacco industry markets. During “Through with Chew Week,” Feb. 21 is the “Great American Spit Out,” a day when health advocates encourage all smokeless tobacco users to start or restart their quit journey. This campaign is sponsored by the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program and Sanders County Tobacco Prevention Program.

Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to cigarettes. These products are engineered to deliver high doses of nicotine and large amounts of carcinogens that impact cardiovascular and oral health.

Spit tobacco and other nicotine novelties maintain tobacco addiction and prevent users from preserving their good health.

Regardless of the tobacco product, electronic devices, cigars, snuff, or old-fashioned chewing tobacco, nicotine is a highly addictive, dangerous drug. We want parents, teachers, administrators and coaches to make sure that kids understand that chewing tobacco, and the alternative oral tobacco products that cigarette companies market, are dangerous and unacceptable choices.

During February, callers to the Montana Tobacco Quit Line, a free telephone-based service, can receive eight weeks of free nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges, discount medication, and most importantly, expert coaching from trained tobacco addiction specialists. Tobacco users who call the Montana Tobacco Quit Line (1-800-QUIT-NOW) are seven to 10 times more likely to quit. The Montana Tobacco Quit Line also hosts a dedicated American Indian Commercial Tobacco Quit Line that can be reached at 1-855-372-0037, or online at MTAmerican

IndianQuitLine.com.

During Through with Chew Week, those interested in quitting smokeless tobacco can receive a free “Quit Spit Kit” between noon and 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, Feb. 19-21. Stop by for the kit and more information at Room 102, Sanders County Courthouse, or make arrangements to receive one by calling 827-6901.