Through With Chew (TWC) Week, Feb. 14-20^º, kicks off on Valentine’s Day, so why not mobilize your coalition to encourage your local residents to love themselves and quit using chewing tobacco and snuff?

The Through With Chew Week campaign’s objective is to educate people about the dangers of smokeless tobacco.

The campaign began in 1989 by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Inc. The objective was to provide a public education campaign on spit tobacco, coordinated with dentists, healthcare providers, sports coaches and teachers. In 1994, Oral Health America’s National Spit Tobacco Education Program (NSTEP) partnered with TWC in attempts to break the connection between baseball and smokeless tobacco. 

In addition, the Great American Spit Out takes place the Thursday of that week.

Chew contains at least 28 chemicals that have been found to cause cancer in the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas. Treating oral cancers can involve removal of tissue and bone including the tongue and jaw. Smokeless tobacco can also cause gum disease, heart disease, and precancerous mouth sores. On average, chew products deliver a higher dose of nicotine than cigarettes making the product more habit forming.

Your coalition can download messaging tips to encourage local residents to be through with chew and to help youth understand and avoid the dangers of chew. 

CADCA also offers numerous resources on tobacco prevention and cessation through its Geographic Health Equity Alliance.