Air Force aims to curb smokeless tobacco use Published April 21, 2008 By Capt. Ann Adams 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The Air Force is pushing to become a tobacco free force. The focus has been on eliminating smoking tobacco, like cigarettes. Until recently, the growing problem of smokeless tobacco has been overlooked by the Air Force. Currently, 14.5 percent of all Airmen use smokeless tobacco compared to 7.7 percent in the civilian workforce. That is a 26 percent increase in the use of smokeless tobacco between 2002 and 2005. Pope's dental exams in December 2007 showed a 6.1 percent use of smokeless tobacco. The Air Force has made tobacco use a health priority. $80 million of productivity a year is lost in the Air Force due to tobacco use. The latest Air Force initiative expects to see significant decreases in tobacco use by 2010. Smokeless tobacco is commonly referred to as dip or chew. Chewing tobacco comes in multiple varieties; loose leaf, plugs or twists tobacco. Snuff is a dry or moist loose-leaf tobacco placed between the cheek and gum or inhaled into the nostrils. Snuff is also found in tea bag like pouches. Betel quid is placed in mouth between gum and cheek then gently sucked and chewed. The product is usually found in India, Africa and Asia. Betel quid consists of tobacco, areca nuts, catechu and scent or flavoring. Smokeless tobacco is as harmful if not more harmful than cigarettes. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug. It's as addictive as cocaine or heroine. Depending on how often one dips, they may be getting more nicotine than the average smoker. The average-size dip left in the mouth for 30 minutes gives the user as much nicotine as smoking three cigarettes. Like cigarettes smokeless tobacco contains many of the same carcinogens (cancer causing agents). Some of those agents include acetone, arsenic, butane, cadmium, cyanide, formaldehyde, methanol, polonium-210, sand, and uranium 325. Smokeless tobacco may not cause lung cancer, asthma, or other respiratory problems, but it does have its own unique health problems. It can cause cavities, due to the high level of sugar in the product, and gum disease in the forms of gingivitis and leukoplakia. Leukoplakia is white leathery patches that eventually lead to cancer. Mouth cancer is not the only cancer smokeless tobacco can cause. Pancreatic cancer is also thought to be caused by dip. Like cigarettes, smokeless tobacco is also believed to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes). The Air Force has a very specific policy on tobacco use, which can be found in AFI 40-102. Pope also has a supplement to the Air Force regulation. The regulation states the only places where any tobacco product is allowed, including smokeless tobacco; is designated tobacco use areas, military family housing, and privately owned vehicles. Smokeless tobacco and all tobacco products are prohibited in any government buildings or facilities, dormitories or dayrooms, government owned or leased vehicles, and Air Force or contracted aircraft. These rules also apply to civilians and contractors on base. There are many strategies for quitting and alternatives to smokeless tobacco. Some of those alternatives are sunflower seeds, gum, and pistachios. The most successful strategy for those who want to quit is simply wanting to quit. No one else can make you quit, you need to want it for yourself. Two techniques in weaning off the nicotine in smokeless tobacco are titration and alternating. Titration is when tobacco snuff is mixed with tobacco free snuff. The goal is to eventually eliminate the tobacco snuff. The titration technique starts out with largely tobacco snuff and little tobacco free snuff. Over time tobacco free snuff is added more and the tobacco snuff amount is decreased. Once the tobacco has been completely removed, and the addicting affects of nicotine, it is easier to break the habit. Other tips for quitting are medications, hypnosis, acupuncture, cold turkey, counseling, mentoring and avoiding situations that trigger the use of smokeless tobacco. The Health and Wellness Center offers classes to aid in the cessation process. They can also prescribe nicotine patches, Zyban, and Chantix. Below are several Web sites available that can aid in your cessation process. Above all, remember anyone can quit if he truly wants to and the Air Force can help. For more information, visit the following Web sites: www.militarysource.com; www.ucanquit2.org; www.killthecan.org; www.quitsmoking.org; www.cancer.org