While most tobacco control attention has gone to preventing the use of inhaled tobacco products, the use of spit (chewing) tobacco is a growing health threat. In 2006, Big Tobacco began marketing spit tobacco products as convenient and less harmful substitutes for smoked tobacco. Dental and medical clinicians, public health educators and school administrators have a stake in reducing the use of spit tobacco.

Key Points:

Key points are based on experience at the national and local levels, review of literature and evaluation of initiatives:

• We are incorporating spit tobacco messages into existing Wisconsin tobacco prevention/control efforts.

• Scholarships to attend national conferences, presentations at regional- and state-level meetings, creation of a national stop spit use list-serve, mini-grant opportunities for coalitions, promotion of multi-media resources, recognition of Through With Chew Week by the Governor, activities to celebrate Through With Chew Week to gain earned media and training for Dental and Healthcare providers have been instituted since 2005.

• Evaluation demonstrates improved community partnerships, coalition and clinical awareness and increased use of the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line by spit tobacco users.

Learning Objectives:

A narrative of Wisconsin's spit tobacco control movement is followed by proven strategies to engage coalitions, government officials and media. Attendees will view a sample of interventions and resources to address spit tobacco use, as well as industry marketing of spit tobacco products in Wisconsin.

Benefits:

Presentations and sharing from group discussions will give attendees ideas, samples and resources to implement interventions in their communities.