NEWS RELEASE
TO:Eastern U.P. Media Network
FROM:Lauren Eveleigh, Sault Tribe Community Health
Chippewa CountyTobacco-Free Living Coalition
SUBJECT:Kick the Can during Through With Chew Week
CONTACT:Lauren Eveleigh, Sault Tribe Community Health: (906) 632-5280
Julie K.O. Trotter, Chippewa County Health Department: (906) 635-3636
DATE:February 2, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Help yourself or someone you know “kick the can”, of chewing tobacco that is! Through with Chew Week is February 14-20, 2010. Through with Chew Week is an annual campaign aimed at reducing spit tobacco use and increasing awareness of the dangerous effects of smokeless tobacco products. As always, the moral of the story during Through with Chew Week, is that smokeless definitely does not mean harmless.
Smokeless tobacco is a concentrated and dangerous form of tobacco commonly known as “spit tobacco,” “chewing tobacco” or “snuff”. These products contain 28 known cancer-causing agents as well as high levels of nicotine which can lead to heart disease and stroke.
The risk of oral cancer related to smokeless tobacco is of special concern because it can be hard to discover and diagnose due to lack of pain or noticeable symptoms. Each year, more than 34,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer, leading to over 8,000 deaths.
Many people who are diagnosed with oral cancer have to endure many painful and disfiguring surgeries to save their lives. Gruen VonBehrens, a 32 year old oral cancer survivor can speak from experience. His oral cancer was discovered at age 17 and lead to over 30 surgeries to remove the cancer and rebuild his face and jaw. “"If I had known then what I know now, I never would have put a dip in my mouth. Spit tobacco seemed harmless, but it has ruined my life” says Gruen.
Through with Chew Week is a great time to quit using smokeless tobacco and to spread the word about its dangers. Some tips for quitting smokeless tobacco are:
-Set a quit date
-Get support from your friends and family.
-Reward yourself for your successes. Plan periodic rewards with the savings you will build from not buying any more chew or snuff.
-If you slip, don’t give up – TRY AGAIN!
There are also many options for medications to help you quit, both by prescription and over the counter. It is important to talk to your doctor or a tobacco cessation specialist about the proper dose of these medications.
If you are ready to quit, talk with your healthcare provider or call the Michigan Tobacco Quit Line at 1 800 QUIT NOW. For local resource and referral information, please contact the Chippewa County Tobacco-Free Living Coalition c/o Chippewa County Health Department at 635-3636 or visit For more information on Through with Chew Week, go to