Chewing is not a safe alternative to smoking

Chewing tobacco, spit tobacco, dip, smokeless tobacco – whatever the name, it’s all the same – HARMFUL! Tobacco is tobacco and smokeless tobacco does NOT mean harmless, yet that is the latest ploy of the tobacco industry. The industry touts its spit tobacco products as a "safer alternative to cigarettes." This concept is far from the truth. Recent research indicates that Kansas has a higher than average use of smokeless tobacco among high school males and females (yes, females!). In addition to that disconcerting fact, at least 9% of all high school and middle school students report they believe smokeless tobacco is less harmful than cigarettes. Obviously, this indicates a need to increase youth and teen’s knowledge about the harmful effects of smokeless tobacco. This will be done for the youth of Barber County grades 6-12.

On Tuesday, May 13, Gruen von Behrens, representative of the National Spit Tobacco Education Program, will speak to the students about his battle with oral cancer, as a result of his use of smokeless tobacco. Gruen is a 33 year old oral cancer survivor who has endured thirty painful and disfiguring surgeries, including one radical surgery that removed half his neck muscles, lymph nodes and one third of his tongue. Like too many teenagers, Gruen first tried spit tobacco at age 13 to "fit in." Growing up in a rural farm community, spit tobacco was too often the norm. Gruen states, "If I had known then what I know now, I would have never put a dip in my mouth." By age 17, he was diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma, a common form of oral cancer. Gruen will share with the group what the real life consequences are of his tobacco use. He is especially effective with young audiences, warning them to stay away from the spit tobacco that he believes caused his cancer. His story is not only emotionally touching, but also visually effective in relating this important and oftentimes overlooked public health message.

Barber County students are able to take part in this valuable presentation via sponsorship by Barber County Community Health Department and the TASK/YES youth group and the partnerships of USD 254 and USD 255. Anthony Elementary School’s Health Council is also in partnership with Barber County on this tobacco education project. In an effort to share the cost and allow more students to benefit from Gruen’s message, Gruen will be presenting in Harper County also. The public is invited to attend the presentation at Chaparral H.S. auditorium at 8:45 a.m. on May 13. The second presentation will take place at Medicine Lodge H.S. at 11:30 for the students in USD 254 and USD 255. In addition to Gruen’s presentation a look at tobacco prevention measures in our community will be given via a sharing cession and short presentation. A thank You goes to ALCO for helping with the provision of drinks, and to the TUPP department at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for grant funding for chronic disease risk reduction in Barber County.

Gruen’s message is powerful, emotional and addresses not only oral cancer prevention, but self-esteem and respect for others as well. His story touches the hearts of young and old alike. If someone you love is addicted to tobacco or a user of the products, I invite you to join us at this presentation, Heather Henke, RN, Adm.

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