Introduction
So you're a dipper and you'd like to quit.
Maybe you've already found that quitting dip or chew is not easy. But you can do it! This guide is intended to help you make your own plan for quitting.
Many former dippers have shared advice on quitting that can help you. Among them are many Major League Baseball players who quit successfully. This guide is the result of advice from chewers and dippers who have canned the habit.
Like most dippers, you probably know that the health-related reasons to quit are awesome. But you must find your own personal reasons for quitting. They can motivate you more than the fear of health consequences. It's important to develop your own recipe for willpower.
In this guide we refer more to dip than chew, just to keep it simple. Also, note that we call it spit tobacco, not smokeless tobacco. Smokeless tobacco is the term preferred by the tobacco industry. It makes the products sound safe; they aren't.
Ready to start?
Let's go!
THE DANGERS of dip and chew
Here's a brief summary of the harm dipping does.
- Sugar in spit tobacco may cause decay in exposed tooth roots.
- Dip and chew can cause your gums to pull away from the teeth in the place where the tobacco is held. The gums do not grow back.
- Leathery white patches, called leukoplakia (loo-ko-play-kia), and red sores are common in dippers and chewers and can turn into cancer.
Mouth Cancer
Mouth cancers are among the toughest cancers to treat. Surgery needed to treat mouth cancer is often difficult and disfiguring. The disease can spread quickly. On average, only half of those with mouth cancer will survive more than five years.
Need more reasons to quit?
It's expensive!
A can of dip costs an average of nearly $3. A two-can-a-week habit costs about $300 per year. A can-a-day habit costs nearly $1,100 per year. Likewise, chewing tobacco costs about $2. A pouch-a-day habit costs over $700 a year. Think of all the things you could do with that money instead of dipping or chewing. It adds up.
It's disgusting!
If the health effects don't worry you, think of how other people see your addiction.
The smell of spit tobacco in your mouth is not pleasant. While you may have become used to the odor and don't mind it, others around you notice.
Check out your clothes. Do you have tobacco juice stains on your clothes, your furniture, or on your car's upholstery? Your tobacco spit and drool could be making a mess.
Look at your teeth. Are they stained from tobacco juice? Brushing your teeth won't make this go away.
 | Curt Schilling / Philadelphia Phillies The sad thing about it is I had to wait until I had no choice. Basically, in no uncertain terms, my doctor told me if I were to continue (using spit tobacco), I'd have cancer. Associated Press, 1998. |
Understanding your ADDICTION
Nicotine Levels of Popular Brands Highest Medium - Skoal Wintergreen
- Skoal Long Cut Cherry
Lowest * This list is provided for information only. NIDCR and NCI do not endorse the use of any tobacco product. |
Hard to believe you're a nicotine addict?
Believe it.
Nicotine, found in all tobacco products, is a highly addictive drug that acts in the brain and throughout the body.
Dip and chew contain more nicotine than cigarettes.
Some facts:
Holding an average-size dip in your mouth for 30 minutes gives you as much nicotine as smoking three cigarettes. A 2-can-a-week snuff dipper gets as much nicotine as a 1-1/2 pack-a-day smoker does.
To the right is a chart comparing the nicotine levels of some popular snuff brands.
Think about your own habit. Check how many of the following apply to you.
How Addicted Are You?
- I no longer get sick or dizzy when I dip or chew, like I did when I first started.
- I dip more often and in different settings.
- I've switched to stronger products, with more nicotine.
- I swallow juice from my tobacco on a regular basis.
- I sometimes sleep with dip or chew in my mouth.
- I take my first dip or chew first thing in the morning.
- I find it hard to go more than a few hours without dip or chew.
- I have strong cravings when I go without dip or chew.
The more items you check, the more likely that you are addicted.
 | Michele Smith / 1996 Olympic Softball Champion Spit tobacco is dangerous, addictive and - IT'S REALLY GROSS ! If you use it, you can quit it! |
MYTHS and TRUTHS
There are several myths about spit tobacco.
Sometimes these myths make users feel more comfortable in their habits.
Below are some myths and the truths that relate to them.
Myth: Spit tobacco is a harmless alternative to smoking.
Truth: Spit tobacco is still tobacco. In tobacco are nitrosamines, cancer-causing chemicals from the curing process. Note the warnings on the cans.
Myth: Dip (or chew) improves my athletic performance.
Truth: A study of professional baseball players found no connection between spit tobacco use and player performance. Using spit tobacco increases your heart rate and blood pressure within a few minutes. This can cause a buzz or rush, but the rise in pulse and blood pressure places an extra stress on your heart. That may actually reduce your overall performance.
 | Tino Martinez / New York Yankees Chew or dip is a bad choice. It's addictive and can cause serious health problems. To win, you have to quit. |
Myth: Good gum care can offset the harmful effects of using dip or chew.
Truth: There is no evidence that brushing and flossing will undo the harm that dip and chew are doing to your teeth and gums.
Myth: If you dip or chew for only 5 to 10 years, you won't get cancer.
Truth: Long-term users are more likely to develop cancer, but they are not the only ones at risk. Cancers have been found in the mouths of guys who have used the product regularly for as few as six years.
Myth: It's easy to quit using dip or chew when you want to.
Truth: Unfortunately, nicotine addiction makes quitting difficult. But those who have quit successfully are very glad they did.
Quitting
Kicking the spit or chew habit can be tough, but it can be done, and you can do it.
The best way to quit spit tobacco is to have a quit date and a quitting plan.
These methods make it easier. Try what you think will work best for you.
Decide to quit.
Quitting spit tobacco is not something you do on a whim. You have to want to quit to make it through those first few weeks off tobacco. You know your reasons for stopping. Don't let outside influence -like peer pressure- get in your way. Focus on all you don't like about dipping and chewing.
Reasons to quit.
Here are some reasons given by others. Are any of them important to you?
- To avoid health problems
- To prove I can do it
- I have sores or white patches in my mouth
- To please someone I care about
- To set a good example for my kids or other kids
- To save money
- I don't like the taste
- I have gum or tooth problems
- It's disgusting
- Because it's banned at work or school
- I don't want it to control me
- My girlfriend (or a girl I'd like to date) hates it
- My wife hates it
- My phyisician or dentist told me to quit
 | Derek Jeter / New York Yankees Everybody has a different idea of what's cool. Spit tobacco isn't cool - and it's anything but harmless. |
Pick a quit date.
Pick your quit date. Even if you think you're ready to quit now, take at least a week to get ready. But don't put off setting a date. This will give you time to:
THIS IS MY QUIT DATE MONTH: ________ DATE: __________ YEAR: __________ |
Get psyched up for quitting.
Cut back before you quit by tapering down.
Have your physician or dentist check your mouth. Ask whether you need nicotine replacement therapy (gum, nicotine patches, etc.).
There is no ideal time to quit, but low-stress times are best. Having a quit date in mind is important, no matter how far off it is. But it's best to pick a date in the next two weeks, so you don't put it off too long.
Cut back before you quit.
- Some people are able to quit spit tobacco "cold turkey". Others find that cutting back makes quitting easier. There are many ways to cut back.
- Taper down. Cut back to half of your usual amount before you quit. If you usually carry your tin or pouch with you, try leaving it behind. Carry substitutes instead–sugar-free chewing gum or hard candies, and sunflower seeds. During this period, you might also try a mint-leaf snuff.
- Cut back on when and where you dip or chew. First, notice when your cravings are strongest. What events trigger dipping or chewing for you? Do you always reach for a dip after meals? When you work out? In your car or truck? On your job? Don't carry your pouch or tin. Use a substitute instead. Go as long as you possibly can without giving into a craving, at least 10 minutes. Try to go longer and longer as you approach your quit day. Now, pick three of your strongest triggers and stop dipping or chewing at those times. This will be hard at first. The day will come when you are used to going without tobacco at the times you want it most.
- Switch to lower nicotine snuff if you're using a medium- or high-nicotine snuff product like Skoal or Copenhagen. This way, you cut down your nicotine dose while you're getting ready to quit. This can help to prevent strong withdrawal when you quit. Don't switch to other tobacco products like cigarettes or cigars! In fact, if you already smoke, this is a good time to quit smoking. That way you can get over all your nicotine addiction at once.
- Write down your triggers. Stop dipping at these times.
- Notice what friends and co-workers who don't dip or chew are doing at these times. This will give you ideas for dip or chew substitutes. It's a good idea to avoid your dipping and chewing pals while you're trying to quit. That will help you avoid the urge to reach for a can or chew.
Right before your quit day.
Build a support team.
Let friends, family, and co-workers know you're quitting. Warn them that you may not be your usual self for a week or two after you quit. Ask them to be patient. Ask them to stand by to listen and encourage you when the going gets rough.
Suggest ways they can help, like joining you for a run or a walk, helping you find ways to keep busy, and telling you they know you can do it. If they've quit, ask them for tips. If they use dip or chew, ask them not to offer you any. They don't have to quit themselves to be supportive, but maybe someone will want to quit with you.
- Make your quit day special right from the beginning. You're doing yourself a huge favor.
- Change daily routines to break away from tobacco triggers. When you eat breakfast, don't sit in the usual place at the kitchen table. Get right up from the table after meals.
- Make an appointment to get your teeth cleaned. You'll enjoy the fresh, clean feeling and a whiter smile.
- Keep busy and active. Start the day with a walk, run, swim, or workout. Aerobic exercise will help you relax. Plus, it boosts energy, stamina, and all-around fitness and curbs your appetite.
- Chew substitutes. Try sugar-free hard candies, cinnamon sticks, gum, mints, beef jerky, or sunflower seeds. Carry them with you and use them whenever you have the urge to dip or chew.
Nicotine replacement therapy and non-nicotine replacement therapy (bupropion) are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for smoking cessation. However, these products have not been approved for spit tobacco cessation. Further research is needed to determine their effectiveness for helping spit tobacco users quit.
Withdrawal symptoms don't last long.
Symptoms are strongest the first week after you quit.
The worst part is over after 2 weeks.
After a month, you'll feel better than when you dipped or chewed.
So be patient with yourself.
ABOUT WEIGHT GAIN
Nicotine speeds up metabolism, so quitting spit tobacco may result in a slight weight gain.
To limit the amount of weight you gain, try the following:
- Eat well-balanced meals and avoid fatty foods. To satisfy your cravings for sweets, eat small pieces of fruit. Keep low-calorie foods handy for snacks. Try popcorn (without butter), sugar-free gums and mints, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
- Work about 30 minutes of daily exercise into your routine; try walking or another activity such as running, cycling, or swimming.
Urges to dip, cravings -- especially in the places you used to dip the most: Wait it out (each urge lasts only 3-5 minutes, whether or not you dip or chew). Deep breathing and exercise help you feel better right away.
Feeling irritable, tense, restless, impatient: Walk away from the situation. Deep breathing and exercise to blow off steam. Ask others to be patient.
Constipation/irregularity: Add fiber to your diet (whole grain breads and cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables).
Hunger and weight gain: Eat regular meals. Feeling hungry is sometimes mistaken for the desire to dip or chew.
Desire for sweets: Drink fruit juices. Reach for low-calorie sweet snacks (like apples, sugar-free gums and candies).
Headaches: Take a warm bath or shower. Try relaxation or meditation techniques.
You've made it through the hardest part - the first week. If you can stay off one week, then you can stay off two.
Just use the same willpower and strategies that got you this far.
Cravings may be just as strong this week, but they will come less often and go away sooner.
Be prepared for temptation.
Tobacco thoughts and urges probably still bother you. They will be strongest in the places where you dipped or chewed the most.
The more time you spend in these places without dipping or chewing, the weaker the urges will become. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Drinking them could bust your plan to quit. Know what events and places will be triggers for you and plan ahead for them.
Write down some of your triggers. And write what you'll do instead of dip or chew. It may be as simple as reaching for gum or seeds, walking away, or thinking about how far you've come.
MY STRONGEST TRIGGERS FILL IT IN! TRIGGER 1: _________ TRIGGER 2: _________ TRIGGER 3: _________ |
CONGRATULATIONS!
You've broken free of a tough addiction. If you can stay off 2 weeks, then you know you can beat this addiction.
It will get easier.
Keep using whatever worked when you first quit. Don't expect new rituals to take the place of spit tobacco right away. It took time to get used to chewing or dipping at first, too.
Keep up your guard.
Continue to plan ahead for situations that may tempt you.
 | Jeff Bagwell / Houston Astros Dip and snuff are a terrible and sometimes deadly addiction. I know because I've stopped. It's the toughest thing I've ever done. |
What if you should slip?
Try not to slip, not even once. But, if you do slip, get right back on track.
Don't let feelings of guilt lead you back to chewing or dipping. A slip does not mean "failure". Figure out why you slipped and how to avoid it next time. Get rid of any leftover tobacco.
Pick up right where you left off before the slip. If slips are frequent, or you are dipping or chewing on a regular basis, make a new quitting plan. Quitting takes practice. The spit tobacco habit can be tough to beat. Most users don't quit for good on the first try. Don't give up! Figure out what would have helped. Try a new approach next time. Talk to your physician or dentist for extra help.
You can also call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service (CIS) at 1-800-4-CANCER . The CIS can give you tips and suggestions on how to quit and send you free materials.
Call today - it's free!
Celebrate Your SUCCESS!
CONGRATULATIONS!
You've done it. You've beaten the spit tobacco habit.
You're improving your health and your future. Celebrate with the people on your "support team."
Offer your support to friends and co-workers who are trying to quit using tobacco.
Pledge to yourself never to take another dip or chew.
 | Frank Thomas / Chicago White Sox My idea of a hero is someone who saves a life or teaches you something important. Some people think athletes like me are heroes. Okay, that's fine. But if I'm going to be looked up to, then it's important for me to tell you this: Chewing tobacco or dipping snuff is dangerous and addictive, and it can destroy your health. I don't do it, you shouldn't either. Now, that tip may help save your life. And that makes me feel like a real hero. |
Ordering Information
For copies of this booklet contact:
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse
1 NOHIC Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3500
(301) 402-7364
www.nidcr.nih.gov
or
National Cancer Institute
1-800-4-CANCER
www.nci.nih.gov
This site is provided by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and National Cancer Institute
Part of the National Institutes of Health and US Department of Health and Human Services
Photos courtesy of National Spit Tobacco Education Program