February 23rd is The Great American Spit Out

Are you ready to step up to the plate? On Sunday, February 23, join Quit Tobacco – Make Everyone Proud for the Great American Spit Out, and pitch the dip.

By participating in Operation Fresh Start: Pitch the Dip you’re accepting the mission to become tobacco-free. It’s one of the toughest operations you can undertake, but the reward for a successful mission is a better life.

But what’s so bad about smokeless tobacco? Where there’s no smoke, there’s no fire, right? Wrong. Cancer of the mouth, tongue, cheek, gum, throat, esophagus, stomach and pancreases are all cancers caused by smokeless tobacco. Not to mention the havoc it wreaks on your mouth – tooth loss, receding gums, stained teeth and bad breath. You don’t always get three strikes when it comes to your health.

Tips on carrying out Operation Fresh Start during the Great American Spit Out:

Instead of using a nicotine patch, think about using nicotine gum or a nicotine lozenge. You’ll need something else to do with your mouth instead of putting in dip.

Make a list of what’s most important to you, and look at it every day. Watching your daughter grow up, reaching a tenth anniversary, smiling with a full set of white teeth – all of these are being jeopardized by smokeless tobacco.

Exercise is one of the best ways to keep a craving at bay. Working out regularly will make you healthier overall and help you beat your nicotine addiction.

Find a support group and talk to someone about quitting. You’re twice as likely to be successful in your mission if you get support.

The rate of smokeless tobacco use in the military is at 12.8 percent, that’s nearly 10 percent higher than the civilian population. Make it your mission to start fresh and become an example for those who look up to you.