Facts to chew on during ''Through with Chew Week'

Dear editor,

February 18-24 is “Through with Chew Week.” “Through with Chew Week” is a public awareness campaign designed to reduce the use of smokeless tobacco among young people by calling attention to the use of smokeless tobacco and educating youth on the health effects of smokeless tobacco use. Smokeless tobacco includes chewing tobacco products like Skoal, Snus, RedMan, and are often flavored to appeal to young users.

According to the 2017 Montana Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 13.8 % of high school males and 3.9% of high school females use smokeless tobacco. The smokeless tobacco rates for American Indian males is 21.0% and 14.4% for American Indian females. Montana’s smokeless tobacco rates are higher than the national average.

"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," according to physicians.

We ask that you take time this week to talk with your student about tobacco use and the associated negative health effects. There are many resources out there to help educate you and your student:

*Our website: http://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/mtupp

*The Real Cost Campaign: https://therealcost.betobaccofree.hhs.gov/

*CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/smokeless/health_effects/index.htm

The Montana Tobacco Quit Line is a free service available to all Montanans including youth 13 and over who would like to quit using smokeless or other tobacco products. The quit rate for smokeless tobacco callers is 49%. Calling the Quit Line is toll-free at 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669), or visit the website at http://www.QuitNowMontana.com to enroll.

Thank you,

Sonia R. Young

Prevention Specialist

Phillips County Coalition for Healthy Choices

Malta