• 1/1/2005
  • Press & Dakotan, Yankton Daily

Quitting tobacco is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions, but the key to success is to create a quit plan that includes planning for tough situations, dealing with withdrawal, and getting support from others. Chewers and dippers can now create their own effective quit plans at the ChewFree.com Web site. Sponsored by the National Center Institute, ChewFree.com is a free, self-help quitting program offered as part of a research study by Oregon Research Institute.

“Many people mistakenly believe that they can quit with will power alone,” says Dr. Herb Severson of Oregon Research Institute, the project director. “Our research has shown, however, that chewers and dippers can by most successful if they take the time to make a plan. ChewFree.com provides those interested in quitting with the tools they need.” More than 6 million Americans use smokeless tobacco products regularly, contributing to as many as 9,000 U.S. cancer deaths each year.

The ChewFree.com quitting program addresses the special difficulties faced by chew and snuff users, who have fewer quitting resources than do smokers. All participants will have access to a web site containing information and quitting resources that have already helped thousands of chewers to quit. Participants are asked to complete research questionnaires on-line to help evaluate the program.

For more information or to enroll in the quitting program, log on to www.chewfree.com.

Facts About Smokeless Tobacco — South Dakota

Smokeless tobacco use is widespread, especially among young men.

More than five percent of American males use snuff or chew products daily.

In South Dakota, 8.2 percent of adult males (more than 21,000 people) are regular smokeless users. Smokeless tobacco use leads to oral cancer, other cancers and heart disease.

The U.S. Surgeon General has concluded that smokeless tobacco can cause oral cancer and can lead to nicotine addiction. More than three-quarters of daily users have non-cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions in their mouths.

Smokeless use has been linked to cancers of the esophagus, larynx, and stomach, and is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes). Smokeless tobacco is addictive and as difficult to quit as smoking.

Chewers and dippers have similar, or even higher, levels of nicotine in their bloodstreams than smokers who smoke a pack of cigarettes or more per day.

Withdrawal from regular smokeless tobacco use results in the same withdrawal symptoms and discomfort observed in heavy cigarette smokers attempting to quit. Many smokeless users want to quit, but few resources exist to help them.