When it comes to tobacco, "smokeless" doesn't mean "harmless"

When it comes to tobacco, "smokeless" doesn't mean "harmless"
When a young boy gazes in awe at his favorite sports player, he sees more than a pitcher's technique. He may see the player sporting a wad of chewing tobacco in his jaw.

To be like his hero, a youngster might start using smokeless tobacco, not knowing its serious health consequences.

Known also as chew, dip, pinch, plug or dirt, smokeless tobacco has the same addictive qualities as cigarettes. More than 12 million Americans use smokeless tobacco, with three million under the age of 21. More than 50 percent of those who use smokeless tobacco developed the habit before they were 13 years old. Long-term users run a 50 percent greater risk of developing oral cancer, which causes 10,000 deaths a year in the U.S. alone.

Smokeless tobacco is not only connected to oral cancer and other diseases of the mouth, it also linked to high blood pressure and cardiovascular complications. Other effects of smokeless tobacco use are mouth sores, receding gums, stained teeth, and precancerous white, leathery patches in the mouth. Contact your dentist immediately if you see signs of recurrent sore areas, lumps, masses, white patches, or new growths.

Like cigarettes, smokeless tobacco is habit-forming and difficult to give up. If you have or know children who use smokeless tobacco, strongly urge them to stop. Convince them there isn't much appeal in being with someone who is always spitting a brown liquid that looks bad, smells worse, and causes them serious harm. There's nothing glamorous about such a dangerous habit with such ugly consequences.