Smokeless Tobacco: A Growing Problem in Douglas County

Douglas County is currently traveling down a treacherous path towards a population of overall poor health due to use of smokeless tobacco in teenagers. The results of the Safe and Drug Free survey have been released, showing that Ava’s students are using smokeless tobacco more than was originally thought, which is a huge problem for our community. 58.8% of students have used tobacco on Ava’s campus. This is a rate eleven times higher than the Missouri state average, and seven times higher than the national average, which provides insight as to how much of a problem we have in our area.


According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smokeless tobacco, also known as chewing tobacco, is known to contribute to four main areas: cancer, oral health, reproductive health, and nicotine addiction. The much talked about problem with smokeless tobacco is about cancer, which is an important and health related issue that needs to be relayed to the youth who are at risk for this problem. Smokeless tobacco contains 28 cancer-causing agents (also called carcinogens) than have been shown to lead to oral cancer and pancreas cancer.

Smokeless Tobacco and Cancer


• Smokeless tobacco contains 28 cancer-causing agents (carcinogens).

• Smokeless tobacco is a known cause of human cancer; it increases the risk of developing cancer of the oral cavity and pancreas.

Smokeless Tobacco and Oral Health

• Smokeless tobacco is also strongly associated with leukoplakia—a precancerous lesion of the soft tissue in the mouth that consists of a white patch or plaque that cannot be scraped off.

• Smokeless tobacco is associated with recession of the gums, gum disease, and tooth decay.

Smokeless Tobacco and Reproductive Health

• Smokeless tobacco use during pregnancy increases the risks for preeclampsia (i.e., a condition that may include high blood pressure, fluid retention, and swelling), premature birth, and low birth weight.

• Smokeless tobacco use by men causes reduced sperm count and abnormal sperm cells.

Smokeless Tobacco and Nicotine Addiction

• Smokeless tobacco use can lead to nicotine addiction and dependence.

• Adolescents who use smokeless tobacco are more likely to become cigarette smokers.

(cdc.gov)

There are many ways to keep youth from chewing tobacco, the following are the top ten ways to prevent your child from chewing:

10. Make sure your child understands tobacco is not cool

9. Talk to your child about peer pressure and how to refuse it

8. Stress to your child that tobacco use is dangerous

7. Show your child how much chewing tobacco costs

6. Encourage your child to have a tobacco-free role model

5. Be a tobacco-free role model

4. Support organizations promoting tobacco-free behaviors

3. Support businesses who refuse selling tobacco to minors

2. Explain to your child that you disapprove of the behavior
 And finally…

1. NEVER BUY TOBACCO PRODUCTS FOR YOUR CHILD