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May
6, 2007
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 Dickey-Stephens Field in North Little Rock on Friday, June 8, at 7:10 p.m.
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.”
Sponsored through the team effort of the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Oral Health, the Arkansas Oral Health Coalition 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 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 I-Pods. Prize sponsors for the event include the Arkansas State Dental Association, the Arkansas State Dental Hygienists’ Association, Delta Dental Plans of Arkansas, UALR Children International, 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.
Earlier this season, the Office of Oral Health and the Arkansas Oral Health Coalition, Inc. helped sponsor the three School Days events with the Arkansas Travelers. Each of the events in April and May of 2007 brought in more than 6000 school children to enjoy a free baseball game, hot dog and soft drink. The message of spit tobacco prevention was featured in all promotional materials and during the games themselves.
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.
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