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• Pick a day and plan to quit, you will have success if you really want to.
• Think of the negative aspects of tobacco and the positive aspects.
• Learn about why smokeless tobacco is bad for you

Tobacco is addictive, it increases your heart rate and blood pressure, and it constricts blood vessels causing poor blood circulation. This can have a negative impact on athletic performance. Smokeless tobacco also causes serious mouth problems. Bad breath and tooth discoloration are two common effects of tobacco use. Abrasion caused by the scratching of the tobacco on tooth enamel leads to increased tooth sensitivity. Sugar in the tobacco will lead to tooth decay. Gum recession at the spot of contact with the tobacco wad causes damage to the tissue and bone structure and you could loose your teeth. You can develop gingivitis, ulcers, or leukoplakia in the gum. Oral cancer is the most serious complication and can lead to other forms of cancer. Research shows that 15-20% of all adolescent men use smokeless tobacco. Of these men, about half will develop precancerous lesions in their mouths. The chances of a smokeless user getting oral cancer are 400% greater than nonusers. Lookout for some of these early signs of oral cancer:

• A sore that does not heal
• A lump or white patch
• A prolonged sore throat
• Difficulty in chewing
• Restricted movement of the tongue or jaws
• A feeling of something in the throat

Pain is rarely an early symptom. For this reason, all tobacco users need regular dental check-ups.
If you need help to quit, contact us at Health Education Services (703) 993-3690/3686, or e-mail us jpalmore@gmu.edu.

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Health Education Services
(703) 993-3690/3686
SUB I, Room 219J