Quitting tobacco important to health

Editor:

There is no safe form of tobacco. Smokeless tobacco (dip, chew, snuff, snus, and dissolvable tobacco products) can cause cancer of the mouth, tongue, cheek, gum, esophagus and pancreas. It also causes gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss.

Montana’s smokeless tobacco rates are higher than the national average for both male youth (10%) and male adults (12%). Feb. 16-22 is “Through with Chew Week,” an entire week dedicated to educating Montanans about the health risks of smokeless tobacco and the health benefits of quitting.

The Montana Tobacco Quit Line helps with quitting all forms of tobacco use, including smokeless tobacco. The Quit Line offers 8 weeks of free nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges as well as reduced-cost prescription medications when you enroll. The quit rate for people who use smokeless tobacco and call the Quit Line is 50%, compared to 5-7% for those who try quitting alone.

The Montana Tobacco Quit Line offers three special programs for Montanans. My Life, My Quit is a text/chat-based program specifically for youth under the age of 18. Visit mylifemyquit.com to learn more. The American Indian Commercial Tobacco Quit Line connects callers with American Indian coaches and the Quit Now Montana Pregnancy Program connects pregnant callers with a dedicated female coach and offers cash incentives for completed coaching calls. All Quit Line programs deliver tailored services for each caller creating the best opportunity for success.

Quitting tobacco can be the most important thing you do for your health. The Quit Line, along with FDA-approved cessation medications available through enrollment, is a proven and effective way to help you quit tobacco use successfully. People who use the Montana Tobacco Quit Line are 7 to 10 times more likely to quit than if they were to try alone.

To get started, call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669), or visit the website at http://www.QuitNowMontana.com to enroll. American Indian callers can reach native coaches directly by calling 1-855-372-0037, and youth (those under 18) can text “Start my quit” or call 1-855-891-9989 to begin.

As an added bonus for those who want to be quitters, free Quit Spit Kits are available during Through with Chew Week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, Feb. 18-21, near room 102, lower level, Sanders County Courthouse, 1111 Main St., Thompson Falls.

For more information, please e-mail [email protected].

Sandra Gubel,

Sanders County Tobacco Prevention Specialist