Today is The Great American Spit Out Day aka GASPO DAY! This national event coincides with this week also being “Through With The Chew Week,” making it a clear focus on encouraging users to quit smokeless tobacco and to educate and raise awareness around the dangers in “chew” snuff, gummies and other types of oral nicotine. At the end of the day, the goal of this week is to cut our numbers of nicotine users and hopefully see more being through with the chew and spitting it out for the last time.
The marketing and product placements for smokeless tobacco products can be misleading and cause some to think that they are healthier or safer choices than traditional cigarettes, and it’s simply not true. The harmful chemicals found in these products are not safer alternatives, they pose a risk to our heads, hearts, lungs and overall well-being.
Smokeless tobacco can immediately have an impact on one’s oral health. This can cause a higher risk for gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss due to the presence of nicotine and other harmful substances in these products. Additionally, smokeless tobacco can lead to oral cancers, including cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus. The carcinogenic compounds found in these products significantly increase the likelihood of developing these life-threatening conditions.
By now most of us know that oral health is also related to heart health! And smokeless tobacco has been linked to cardiovascular issues as well, making it a double whammy. Nicotine is a stimulant, which causes an increase in heart rate, elevation of blood pressure, and an increased risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org, shares data that long-term use can contribute to arterial damage and an elevated risk of stroke due to its effects on blood vessels. Their website also shares that over 15% of Vermonters use nicotine and over 22% have heart disease, which is unsettling news.
Another myth of smokeless tobacco is that it can’t impact your lungs, that if you don’t inhale like a regular cigarette, you won’t have to worry. The American Heart Association says that’s wrong! Smokeless tobacco can cause cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and pancreas, as well as increase the risk of pneumonia which can lead to lung infections. History also shows that smokeless tobacco users are more likely to transition into smoking cigarettes or may already be dual users (both smoking and using smokeless products). This compounds their risks and increases the exposure to chemicals that can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.
In addition to the effects on the head, heart and lungs, nicotine can impact your overall health. It is linked with weakened immune function, making users more susceptible to infections as well as being linked to heart disease, diabetes, and many other health conditions that impact one’s quality of life. Whereas those who quit tobacco of any kind can show major strides in their mental health and reduce their experiences with anxiety or depression related to their addiction.
We live in a state that makes it easy to quit! In Vermont, support systems are available, such as 802 Quits and MyHealthyVT.org are programs that offer free personalized assistance tailored to individual needs whether you want help quitting smoking, vaping, or using oral nicotine pouches. Individuals interested in quitting can text START to 36072 or enroll online for access to resources that will aid them in their journey toward cessation with 802 Quits, or email or call My Healthy Vermont: MyHealthyVT@vermont.gov or call 802-863-7270.
GASPO Day is a reminder that you or someone you know may be one “spit out” towards a healthier and happier life. With reminders like “Through With The Chew Week,” we remember that we do need to keep learning about the dangers associated with smokeless tobacco, keep providing opportunities to take action towards quitting, and share local resources. Through initiatives like GASPO and Through With The Chew Week combined with local support programs like 802 Quits, individuals or maybe even you may decide to be through with the chew. If you want a healthier head, heart, lungs and overall health and wellbeing, it may be easier than you think – spit out the tobacco! You can do it! And, you never have to do it alone! Here’s to a healthier community, state and country, one less “chewer” at a time, let’s celebrate, it’s GASPO DAY!