

Many former tobacco addicts and individuals looking to quit belong to such groups. Alternatively, consider participating in a support group. Family and friends can play a key supporting role in the process.
#QUITTING CHEWING TOBACCO TIMELINE HOW TO#
Look for a Support Groupįor individuals exploring how to quit chewing tobacco, it’s important to know that the journey should not be taken alone.

But don’t wait too long-pick a date in the next two weeks or less than a month away. Before the quit date, change your routines, avoid chewing tobacco triggers, and carry substitutes, like hard candy or sunflower seeds, that can take your mind off of chewing tobacco. Instead, gradually tapering off in advance of a quit date may be a more realistic strategy. However, going "cold turkey"-abruptly abstaining from chewing tobacco-may not work. When it comes to quitting chewing tobacco, any day is good. Pick a Quit DateĪs the adage goes: “There's no time like the present”. Whatever the reasons for quitting, it’s important to keep them in mind when quitting to remain motivated to succeed. Besides health and good looks, individuals may want to quit chewing tobacco to set an example for children or simply to stop an addiction to a substance that can only negatively impact their life. Moreover, quitting chewing tobacco will help improve the appearance of your teeth and gums. Nicotine use also can result in high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

Reasons for QuittingĪ top reason to quit chewing tobacco is improving your overall health and minimizing your risk of getting ailments such as leukoplakia, a mucous membrane disorder characterized by white patches on the cheek or tongue that can lead to cancer. Reasons to consider quitting chewing tobacco are cited below. Whatever the reasons for using chewing tobacco, it is never too late to try to quit. Others started chewing as an alternative to cigarettes. Some people were pressured by peers to chew tobacco. Individuals who chew tobacco have different stories about how they started the habit. What to Consider Before Quitting Chewing Tobacco This guide contains resources that can help individuals looking for information on how to quit chewing tobacco, whether for themselves or to share with others. According to the Mayo Clinic, users trying to quit smokeless tobacco products like chewing tobacco often have the same withdrawal symptoms as those experienced by smokers. However, nicotine is an addictive chemical that makes it difficult for users to quit. Individuals can improve their health and reduce their risk of contracting these and other diseases by quitting chewing tobacco. According to the American Lung Association, chewing tobacco contains at least 28 chemicals that can lead to various illnesses, including mouth, esophageal, and pancreatic cancers, gum disease, and tooth decay and loss. Like cigarettes and other forms of tobacco, smokeless tobacco contains nicotine and other ingredients that negatively impact health. Other types of smokeless tobacco include snuff, which is powdered dry tobacco typically inhaled through the nostrils, and snus, moist snuff placed inside the mouth. Whether you are looking for advice on how to quit chewing tobacco or want to help a loved one kick the habit, an important first step is learning about the negative health and personal impacts of this tobacco product.Ĭhewing tobacco, which is chewed or held in the mouth between the cheek and gum, is a form of smokeless tobacco.
