February a good time to quit
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
Smokeless tobacco is a dangerous form of nicotine addiction, which puts Montanans at risk of cardiovascular disease, oral cancers, diabetes, and severe periodontal damage. Join with people across the nation this Feb. 17-23 to quit dipping, and give yourself the gift of health. “Through With Chew 2013” is designed to raise awareness about the variety of dangerous nicotine-containing products the tobacco industry is marketing, to educate people on the resources available to help them quit, and to let people and communities speak out about pathways to health. The statewide campaign is sponsored by the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program and CSKT Tribal Health – Tobacco Prevention Program.
Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to cigarettes. These products contain nicotine and affect cardiovascular health; they contain large amounts of sugar and carcinogens that impact oral health; they maintain tobacco addiction and prevent users from escaping their terrible health and financial costs.
“No matter if it’s from one of these new products, cigars, snuff, or old-fashioned chewing tobacco, nicotine is a highly addictive, dangerous drug,” says Cristen TwoTeeth, tobacco prevention specialist. “We want parents, teachers, administrators and coaches to make sure that kids understand that chewing tobacco, and the alternative oral tobacco products that cigarette companies keep producing, are dangerous and unacceptable choices.”
“None of these are safe,” TwoTeeth adds. “There is NO good nicotine addiction. Through With Chew is all about community members helping each other to get healthy and stop giving their money to tobacco companies in exchange for disease.”
During February, callers to the Montana Tobacco Quit Line, a free telephone-based service, can receive free nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges, discount medication, and most importantly, expert counseling from trained tobacco addiction specialists. To contact the quit line, dial 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669).
For more information, call Cristen TwoTeeth at (406) 745-3525 ext. 5119.
