7/1/06
For Immediate Release: Contact Lee Rutledge-Falcione, (724) 222-6511, Ext. 16

Smokeless Tobacco: Not a Safe Alternative to Smoking

 The Tobacco Free Program of Washington County Health Partners and The Washington Wild Things Mascot remind Washington County Residents that smokeless tobacco is every bit as dangerous as smoking.

 The safest alternative to any tobacco product is to avoid using it. Washington County Residents seeking more information about obtaining a Tobacco Quit Kit can call 1-866-904-FREE.

 Smokeless tobacco contains many dangerous chemicals that cause cancer. It also contains chemicals, such as Cadmium (Used in car batteries); Formaldehyde (Embalming Fluid); Lead (Nerve Poison); and Uranium (used in Nuclear Weapons).

 With increasing restrictions on smoking because of health concerns involving secondhand smoke, smokers may consider switching to smokeless tobacco, thinking it is safer when, in fact, it is very dangerous.

 The nicotine involved in smokeless tobacco is highly concentrated. Studies show that an average-sized dip or chew contains as much nicotine as smoking 4 cigarettes.

 A tin of snuff has the nicotine level of 60 cigarettes.

Among the many increased health risks connected with smokeless tobacco are:

·        Mouth and Throat Cancer- which involves disfiguring surgery;

·        Precancerous mouth sores- small, white patches inside the mouth that can develop into cancer;

·        Heart disease-smokeless tobacco increases blood pressure and heart rates;

·        Dental problems-smokeless tobacco contains high amounts of sugar to sweeten the product, which cause an increase in cavities. Coarse particles contained in smokeless tobacco damage teeth enamel and gums;

·        Stomach problems-ulcers, stomach upset, increased bowel activity and stomach cancer; and

·        Loss of taste and smell-smokeless tobacco affects the taste buds, reducing the ability to enjoy foods.

Tobacco Free Program
Washington County Health Partners, Inc. (WCHP) was named by the Pennsylvania Department of Health as the primary contractor to continue to establish community-based, comprehensive tobacco use prevention and cessation programs for Washington County between May 2005 and June 2007. The Tobacco Free Program has carefully addressed each of the contract deliverables through 7 program areas: 

¨        Ask and Advise helps health care professionals to identify and help Tobacco Users to quit. 

¨        Clear the Air increases the number of smoke-free environments. 

¨        Do Your Part supports local law enforcement and the business community in prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minors.

¨        Help to Quit promotes local, phone, and internet-based tobacco cessation programs.

¨        Knowledge in Action facilitates the exchange of tobacco control-related information between experts, advocates, and lawmakers. 

¨        Set Them Free works with school-related audiences to implement tobacco-free programs.

¨        Peer Factor (BUSTED!) creates an active youth movement that participates in one or more of the Peer Factor challenges: to expose the truth about manipulative and deceptive marketing practices used to target teens, quit or help others quit using tobacco, and/or work to increase tobacco-free environments. 

For more information, contact the Tobacco Free Program at:
724-222-6511, toll free 1-866-904-FREE (3733), or info@tobaccofreewashington.org.

Washington County Health Partners, Inc.
Incorporated in 2000, Washington County Health Partners, Inc. (WCHP) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the enhancement of the health and well-being of Washington County residents.  Recognized as a State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) Community Health Partnership by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, WCHP performs periodic community health assessments to identify county health issues. 

WCHP provides a forum through its volunteer-led, collaborative task forces for health and human service agencies, businesses, local government, schools and colleges, the faith community, civic organizations, community volunteers, and law enforcement to combine expertise and resources to address health issues, including access to health insurance, community wellness, minority health, nutrition, respiratory health, teen wellness, and tobacco free initiatives.

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