Don't Switch. Call it Quits. QUIT-NOW Offers Free Counseling to Help Spit Tobacco Users and Smokers Quit

February 12, 2007, Alexandria, LA As the Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act clears the air in most workplaces across the state, some smokers are tossing out their cigarettes and calling it quits. Others see dip or chewing tobacco as an alternative to smoking. But before taking a dip, smokers seeking an alternative are urged to chew on this: smokeless tobacco products contain 28 cancer-causing agents that can cause oral cancer, especially in the cheeks, gums, and throat, and other oral health problems. Simply put, smokeless tobacco products are not safe alternatives to smoking. In addition to an increased risk of oral cancer, smokeless tobacco products commonly cause mouth sores, gum recession and bone loss around the teeth.

Smokeless does not mean harmless. Chewing tobacco is highly addictive and a real threat to ones health, says Dr. Charles Brown, Chairman of The Louisiana Campaign For Tobacco-Free Living Steering Committee. To make matters worse, the tobacco industry is currently spending millions upon millions of dollars to research, advertise and test market new smokeless products in response to the passage of smoke-free laws across the nation. It is extremely important that adults and kids understand that chewing tobacco, dip and other smoke-free tobacco products pose a serious threat to their health. Quitting is the only effective means of beating nicotine addictions, adds Brown.

Help quitting is available to Louisiana smokers and spit tobacco users through the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline, 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Counseling is free and confidential. Trained telephone counselors help smokers and smokeless tobacco users set goals, identify target dates for quitting and develop personalized quit plans based on their needs. Self-help and educational materials can also be mailed to callers upon request.

Callers may receive up to five callbacks from a trained counselor to help them stay on track. Depending on individual interests, counselors can also refer callers to free or low cost, local group therapy programs offered through the American Lung Associations Freedom from Smoking Clinics or cessation classes offered within the Louisiana Public Hospital system through the Tobacco Control Initiative.

1-800-QUIT-NOW counselors offer the guidance smokers and smokeless tobacco users need to avoid common mistakes that make quitting so difficult, says Monette Fontenot, Alexandria Area Regional Coordinator of the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living. Its important for young people to understand the addictive nature and dangers of tobacco use so that quitting is a battle they never have to fight.

According to Tobacco Free Kids, 15.4% of male high school students in Louisiana use smokeless or spit tobacco. Its no secret that smokeless tobacco products are marketed with the intent to lure and hook young people, especially through sports sponsorships and events like professional motor sports, says Fontenot. Thats why national awareness efforts like Through With Chew Week and school-based educational programs are important to help prevent spit tobacco use.

Through With Chew Week, February 18-22, 2007 was established in 1989 by the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. (www.entnet.org) to call attention to the health effects of smokeless tobacco use. Through With Chew Week information and resources to help prevent spit tobacco use are available online at www.tobaccofreeliving.org.