This is "Through with Chew" Week

This week is “Through With Chew Week”, a national public awareness campaign about the dangers of smokeless tobacco, like chew and dip.

The program was created to reduce the use of smokeless tobacco among young people.

Our local Students Working Against Tobacco group is taking part through various activities at their school’s campuses and after-school SWAT Clubs.

Franklin County has seen a big drop in smokeless tobacco use; 3.9 percent of Franklin County high school students reported currently using smokeless tobacco products compared to 23.7 percent in 2008

Statewide, however, smokeless tobacco use has not decreased when compared to a decade ago.

And there are plenty of good reasons to quit.

At least 28 carcinogens have been identified in smokeless tobacco and 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.

Smokeless tobacco can also lead to gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss.

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