Kissing a smoker is like licking an ashtray.

My mom had this poster in her classroom. She taught middle school and at the beginning of every year I would help her get her classroom ready for students. This poster has continued to stick in my head, coming to the surface of my memories at the oddest of times. This week, February 18-24, is Through With Chew Week. The goal of this week is to raise awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco.

Smokeless tobacco, also called chew, chewing tobacco, or spit tobacco, also includes snus, nicotine pouches such as Zyn, and dissolvable products. The use of this product is not a safe alternative to smoking because it contains at least 28 cancer-causing chemicals and has the potential to induce gum disease, tooth rot, and tooth loss. Users of smokeless tobacco or nicotine products are at a heightened risk of cancer of the esophagus, pharynx, larynx, stomach, and pancreas.

How can you participate in Through With Chew Week? Talk about it! Spread awareness and/or encourage loved ones to quit.

This is a great opportunity to remind people that the Alaska Tobacco Quitline is free for all Alaskans!