Smokeless Tobacco Use Remains High
KEY WEST, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Monroe and the Florida
Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida are raising awareness about
the dangers of smokeless tobacco, like chew and dip, during “Through With Chew
Week.” This public awareness campaign was created to reduce the use of smokeless
tobacco among young people and help combat this deadly addiction. “Through With
Chew Week” takes place Feb. 14-20.
To raise awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco use, Florida Department
of Health in Monroe in partnership with Tobacco Free Florida Keys is sponsoring the
Bayview Park Movie Series in Monroe County. The Movies in the Park will take place on
Feb. 19, 2016, at sunset at this Key West park. The Bayview Park Movie Series is held
on the first and third Friday of each month until May.
Although youth cigarette smoking rates in Florida are at an all-time low, 6.9 percent of
high school students in Monroe reported current use of smokeless tobacco products
in 2014, according to the Florida Youth Tobacco Survey.
“Smokeless tobacco products contain harmful chemicals that are known to cause
cancer,” said Shannon Hughes, Director of the Florida Department of Health’s
Community Health Promotion. “Youth who use smokeless products are more likely to
experiment with other types of tobacco. Studies have shown that adolescent boys who
use smokeless tobacco have a higher risk of becoming cigarette smokers.” 2,3,4,5
At least 28 cancer-causing chemicals have been identified in smokeless tobacco.6
Smokeless tobacco users have an 80 percent higher risk of oral cancer and a 60
percent higher risk of esophageal cancer and pancreatic cancer compared to non-
users.7
Currently, there is no scientific or medical evidence that proves smokeless tobacco use
is an effective method to help people quit smoking. Floridians who want to quit any form
of tobacco have access to free and proven-effective resources.
CALL: Call Tobacco Free Florida at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW to speak with a Quit
Coach® who will help you assess your addiction and help you create a
personalized quit plan.
1
CLICK: Tobacco Free Florida’s online cessation tool can be accessed at
tobaccofreeflorida.com/webcoach.
COME IN: In person help is available with the help of FL Keys Area Health
Education Centers by calling 305.743.7111 ext. 205 or visiting www.fkahec.org
For more information, please visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com.
About Tobacco Free Florida
The department’s Tobacco Free Florida campaign is a statewide cessation and
prevention campaign funded by Florida’s tobacco settlement fund. Tobacco users
interested in quitting are encouraged to use one of the state’s three ways to quit. Since
2007, more than 126,140 Floridians have successfully quit, using one of these free
services. To learn more about Tobacco Free Florida and the state’s free quit resources,
visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com or follow the campaign on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/TobaccoFreeFlorida or on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/tobaccofreefla.
The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in
Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Twitter at
@HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of
Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.
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