By Rose Rankin
Nationally dentists,
otolaryngologists—physicians concerned with the ears, nose, and throat—have
proclaimed the week of February 18-22, 2019, as "Through with Chew
Week" in an effort to call attention to the use of smokeless tobacco.
In 2014, more than 5 of every 100
high school students (5.5%) in the United States used smokeless tobacco. Locally,
in 2016 on the Iowa Youth Survey 8% of 11th grade students (5 out of
65 students) reported having used smokeless tobacco at least once in the past
30 days. The public awareness campaign
is designed to reduce the use of smokeless tobacco among young people.
Smokeless tobacco is not a safe
alternative to cigarettes, as some young people believe, and it is even more
habit forming because it contains a higher concentration of nicotine than
cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco can cause
oral cancer, especially in the cheeks, gums, and throat. In addition, smokeless
tobacco is addicting. The use of
smokeless tobacco can also lead to other oral problems, such as mouth sores,
gum recession, tooth decay, bad breath, and permanent discoloration of teeth.
The Youth Leadership Council will
be doing the following activities that week: Posters in the Van Buren Community
High Middle/High School, a Lunch and Learn, and distributing Gum with Facts on
it during a Basketball Game.
Through With Chew Week is
sponsored by the Van Buren County Hospital, the Van Buren County SAFE
Coalition, and the Van Buren County Youth Leadership Council. For more
information or for materials, please contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-3334
ext. 1017 or safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org.
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