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Ask the Expert: Frequently Ask Questions
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18 February 2010
Ask the Expert: Captain Larry N. Williams, U.S. Navy Tobacco Clinical Cessation Champion
Ask Captain Williams a Question
The harmful effects of chewing tobacco are nothing to be taken lightly. Get the facts about smokeless tobacco, oral cancer, stomach cancer, mission readiness, chemicals in chewing tobacco, and much more. Check out Captain William’s answers to your frequently asked questions.
Question: What effects does chew have on the stomach? (I swallow my chew & the juice)
I have tried everything available to quit and just can't get past the 1st day. any options left for me?
Answer: “A. The "spit" from your smokeless tobacco contains irritants and acids that can lead to stomach upset. By swallowing the juice, you increase your risk of stomach ulcers.
B. The options for quitting have really improved with the realization that multiple medications used at the same time can help. The use of the nicotine patch to help with daily nicotine need, plus the use of the nicotine gum for the breakthrough urges not covered by the patch, and the use of bupropion (Zyban) to help with the stress of quitting may all contribute to helping smokeless users quit. Recent studies show that many patients are now benefiting from the use of these three medications can be safely used together to defeat the pains of nicotine withdrawal. Ask your healthcare provider to assist you with finding a regimen of medications that are right for you. Also remember that you will benefit from some counseling and support from your local cessation program, community quit services, online quit support (UCANQUIT2.Org) or state quit line.”
Question: I thought that I read several years ago that smokeless tobacco had also been banned from government buildings. I still see a lot of military members spitting tobacco at work. Is there a regulation concerning smokeless tobacco?
Thanks.
Question: How can commanders and health promotions personnel encourage healthy and smokeless tobacco-free lifestyles?
Answer: “The best way to promote health is leadership by example. All leaders at every level should be tobacco free. In addition, education and promotion of a tobacco-free lifestyle should be presented at every educational opportunity.”
Question: What is smokeless tobacco's impact on readiness?
Answer: “Being addicted to any drug can lead to significant problems if withdrawal occurs in a military environment. Irritability, anxiety, restlessness, sleep problems, nausea, and other withdrawal symptoms can adversely affect the mission. Nicotine withdrawal is controlled with the proper use of nicotine and non-nicotine medications such as the nicotine patch, nicotine gum, bupropion (Zyban), or varenicline (Chantix).”
Question: How can smokeless tobacco use degrade war fighter performance?
Answer: “While non-smoked tobacco may appear to be less of a burden on the military mission, it has some significant liabilities. The first issue is that of supply. Making room in your field pack for dip, chew, or snus means you have to sacrifice room for something else. Second, since non-smoked tobacco has greater amounts of nicotine, the sudden lack of non-smoked tobacco once your filed supply is gone will lead to nicotine withdrawal symptoms which would seriously impact the health and well being of the member and the mission assigned. Third, the by-products of non-smoked tobacco are easily tracked through deposited tobacco-byproduct residue in your spit or urine.”