This is national “Through with Chew Week” and health officials have dubbed Thursday as “The Great American Spit-out.” The aim, of course, is to quell the use of smokeless tobacco, especially among young people.
Officials at Tobacco Free Florida say cigarette use among Florida’s youth is declining, but the use of smokeless tobacco has remained steady over the last decade.
Chief of Tobacco Free Florida, Shannon Hughes, said that’s due in part to new smokeless products she believes are marketed toward young users.
“The flavored tobacco products are being produced with what we call candy flavors usually,” she said. “I would ask you, who do you think is going to go for chocolate flavored chew tobacco?”
Hughes says many young people erroneously believe smokeless tobacco isn’t as harmful as cigarettes. Based on research, however, 80 percent of regular users develop precancerous lesions in their mouths within five years.
Parents are urged steer their children away from these products. Information on how to quit and how to receive free nicotine replacement therapy is at http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/
