Learning Objectives: Describe how smokeless does not mean harmless and that nicotine from any source is addictive.
Abstract: Facts and figures will be given on how youth spit tobacco use is increasing in many states while the use of smoking products has stablized or is decreasing. It will explore how many adults and youth look at spit tobacco use as being a safe alternative to smoking products. It will explain why US Tobacco, the principal producer of spit tobacco products, has now changed their name to US Smokeless Tobacco and recently submitted a petition to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to allow them to advertise their products as having less risk than cigarettes. Marketing techniques aimed at youth and college students will also be explained.
The health consequences associated with spit tobacco use will be discussed and evidence given to why spit tobacco is not harmless. Statistics from oral screenings of professional baseball players that were collected over the last two spring training sessions will reveal that smokeless tobacco does not mean harmless.
The different nicotine delivery sytems will be discussed and a position will be made that nicotine is nicotine. No matter how you get nicotine it is addictive. As a result individuals who are addicted are going to get their nicotine whether it is through smoking, chewing, dipping, or by using one of the new nicotine delivery systems. Tobacco control managers and the dental community must address all nicotine delivery systems and not just smoking and second hand smoke.
Back to Diversifying Cessation Efforts: Reaching Out to Ethnic and Rural Populations and Smokeless Tobacco Users
Back to Cessation, Nicotine, and the Science of Addiction
Back to The 2002 National Conference on Tobacco or Health