Little Rock—Spit Tobacco Prevention Night, a fun-filled evening educating youth about the risks of using spit tobacco, is returning to the Arkansas Travelers at Ray Winder Field in Little Rock on Friday, June 7, at 7:10 p.m.

Sponsored through the team effort of the Office of Oral Health, Oral Health America’s National Spit Tobacco Education Program (NSTEP), other oral health advocates and the Arkansas Travelers baseball team, the outing provides children a chance to win valuable prizes while learning about the risks of using spit tobacco.

By taking a short quiz on spit tobacco and signing a pledge to not use tobacco, children will be entered into the numerous drawings held throughout the game. Prizes include electric toothbrushes, boom boxes and cash prizes. Prize sponsors for the event include the Arkansas State Dental Association, Delta Dental Plans of Arkansas, UALR Share America, and Community Health Centers of Arkansas, Inc. While supplies last, the Office of Oral Health will also provide to children free T-shirts emblazoned with the striking “chew, dip and die” logo.

According to Dr. Lynn Douglas Mouden, Director of the Office of Oral Health, spit tobacco creates a high risk of developing oral cancer. In a recent three-year period, Arkansas recorded 860 cases of oral or pharyngeal cancer. Use of spit tobacco also contributes to periodontal (gum) disease and tooth loss.

“Our slogan for the spit tobacco prevention campaign is ‘Spit Tobacco: Chew, Dip and Die’ because we wanted a direct message to help people make the decision to not use tobacco,” Mouden said, “We want people to know the real dangers of using spit tobacco.”

NSTEP’s slogan further educates with “Smokeless Does Not Mean Harmless” to denote that spit tobacco is not a safe alternative to smoking.

The use of spit tobacco is so detrimental to health that the use of spit tobacco by players is banned in all minor league baseball games. “Spit tobacco was once referred to as either chewing tobacco or smokeless tobacco. However, the term ‘spit tobacco’ more accurately describes the habit,” Mouden said. He encourages everyone to come out to the game, enjoy the Travelers and help stop the use of spit tobacco.

The Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health is a wake-up call for the nation. It also should serve as notice for Arkansas. Americans heard the message of “Look ma, no cavities” starting in the 1960s. It’s time for Arkansans to realize the problems and disparities of oral health in the state. Everyone should understand, as former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop said, “You can’t be healthy without good oral health.”

For more information, visit the Arkansas Department of Health’s Web site at
www.healthyarkansas.com.

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