Through With Chew Week (TWCW) is a tobacco observance that educates on the dangers of smokeless tobacco and aims to support chew, dip, and snus users who are wanting to quit. In Oklahoma, 6.8% of adults and 5.7% of high school students use smokeless tobacco, which is higher than the national average.
Smokeless tobacco is highly addictive; an average sized dip in your mouth for 30 minutes delivers as much nicotine as three or more cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco causes a variety of health issues including cancer of the mouth, throat, cheek and gums, and contributes to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Dental issues such as gum disease, recession of the gums, tooth decay, mouth sores and leukoplakia are also associated with smokeless products.
CCMH patients and team members who want to quit dip, snus, snuff or other tobacco products can be proactively referred to the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline by a health care provider or can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. The Hospitals Helping Patients Quit (HHPQ) team at OHA is available to help you set up evidence-based tobacco treatment programs for hospital employees and patients.