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.

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 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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