SWAT AND KEYS TO BE THE CHANGE YOUTH ENCOURAGE COMMUNITIES TO QUIT SMOKELESS TOBACCO DURING THROUGH WITH CHEW WEEK

Key West, Fla. – This Through With Chew Week, Feb. 16-22, Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) and Keys to Be the Change youth are encouraging smokeless tobacco users to set a quit date. Each year, Through With Chew Week raises awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco use (chew, dip and snus) and the effective tools available to quit.

“Many people think of smokeless tobacco as harmless, but it can cause a number of health issues, and is highly addictive,” says Priscilla Bennett, Tobacco Prevention Program Manager for the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County. “We want residents in our area to know that Tobacco Free Florida has free tools and services to help them break the addiction.” SWAT members agree that it’s an unhealthy habit. As Chloe Hartle, a Key West High School SWAT member, put it, “Chewing tobacco damages your teeth and no one wants to kiss that!”

Smokeless tobacco is not harmless and can lead to nicotine addiction.1 Smokeless tobacco causes cancer of the mouth, esophagus and pancreas, as well as increased risk of death from heart disease or stroke.2,3 Smokeless tobacco can cause white or gray patches inside the mouth (leukoplakia) that can lead to cancer.4 It can also cause gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss. 5,6

This week, the youth-led Keys to Be the Change Anti-Vaping Team will be hosting a table at Key West High School during their lunch period on February 13th to educate their peers on the dangers of tobacco use in any form, including e-cigarettes.

Those looking to quit tobacco can create a personalized quit plan using Tobacco Free Florida’s free Quit Your Way tools and services. The Quit Your Way program offers free tools and services like Phone Quit, Group Quit and Web Quit, in addition to individual tools like text support, a Quit Guide and helpful emails. Free nicotine replacement therapy – nicotine patches, gum or lozenges – are available to tobacco users who are 18 or older, if medically appropriate.

For more information on quitting tobacco, you can call 1-877-U-CAN-NOW (1-877-822- 6669) or visit tobaccofreeflorida.com/quityourway.

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