Chewing Tobacco Dangers & Red Flags: Warnings for Parents

Peer pressure influences teens into making poor health decisions that sometimes involve drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. And while the first thing that comes to mind with nicotine products is a cigarette, chewing tobacco is still popular in the U.S. The CDC estimated in 2020 that over 5 million people in the country use smokeless tobacco. 

The health and safety consequences can be devastating for this group. Several cancers, such as esophagus, mouth, and pancreas, are more likely to occur in people who chew tobacco. Chewing tobacco and life insurance are not a good mix. People who start using tobacco of any kind in high school have a hard time stopping later in life. 

This addiction will cause problems when middle-aged and older people try to apply for life insurance. Most companies view chewers the same as they do smokers: a huge risk. We'll talk about how you can check to see if your kid is starting to use chewing tobacco. If they are, you need to present the risks of chewing tobacco and give them the upsides to quitting immediately. 

Why do people use chewing tobacco?

Many kids hear from an early age that smoking cigarettes is wrong. Characters in film and television no longer encourage the use of cigarettes. You aren't allowed to smoke indoors anymore, and companies can't advertise their cigarettes on billboards.

There is a huge stigma around smoking cigarettes now. Unfortunately, the same can't be said about chewing tobacco. Because it is a more niche product, many children don't even hear about its dangers before they start using it. They might think they are choosing a safer substitute for cigarettes, but the health risks are just as high. 

Kids may be influenced to chew tobacco because they see their favorite athletes using it. Baseball players are known for using chewing tobacco on the field while they are playing. They often spit onto the field between pitches, sparking the interest of young viewers as to what they are doing.

If parents don't give a good explanation and try to discourage the use of tobacco, teens may want to try out the product for themselves.

Just like smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco is a way for people to have something in their mouth when they are bored, nervous, or stressed. Unfortunately, one addiction can make another substance abuse problem worse. If teens are drinking alcohol, they are more likely to have a hard time quitting chewing or smoking. 

Consequences of Chewing Tobacco

Despite the lack of access to information on chewing tobacco in the general population, research suggests that chewing tobacco can cause tons of health problems. When you chew tobacco, the chemicals in the product are absorbed into the mouth. The nicotine can leak into the tissues of your tongue, cheek, and throat. 

In several ways, chewing tobacco can lead to many of the same health problems that smoking cigarettes do. This is because there are over 25 toxic chemicals in chewing tobacco products, many of which are the same as the ones in cigarettes. 

We already talked about some of the cancers that can be caused by chewing tobacco. Several dental problems can occur. Many people who use these products end up losing their teeth at some point in life. 

How can parents help their children?

Parents need to paint a picture for their children of what these risks are before the use of the product starts. One of the ways to do this is to make sure that none of the adults in your house use tobacco of any kind. Nicotine use is more likely if other people in the same family are using it. 

It may be difficult to quit smoking or chewing, but doing so will set a great example for your kids. You'll be setting up your family for better health in the future. Your children will be able to live healthier lives if they never start chewing, and they'll be able to provide for their family better because of it. 

Most adults with a family should think about getting life insurance. If you smoke or chew tobacco, you're going to have a hard time getting a term life insurance policy. The cost of life insurance increases for those seen as high-risk. You're more likely to pass away from diseases that are caused by the use of these products, creating risk for the insurer.

Tips to Quit Chewing Tobacco

If your teen does start chewing tobacco, think about some of the reasons we discussed for why they may have started. Some high school students have concentration issues. Many of them may not realize that chewing tobacco helps them keep themselves mentally occupied. 

There are so many better things to do to maintain concentration than to chew tobacco. Sunflower seeds and sugarless gum are great, healthier alternatives to chewing tobacco that should be an easy sell to high school students. Finding low-sugar or no-sugar sweets is an ideal alternative to candy and tobacco.

Get your high schooler into a support group or a therapy session to talk about their addictions to any substance. Alcohol, nicotine, and drugs are all substances that teens are at high risk of using, and there are a lot of people who have professional experience in helping those who use them. 

You can even get a little unconventional by offering your child incentives to stop using chewing tobacco. Or, go the other direction and take away their privileges until they stop.

None of these tips are foolproof. If you suspect your kid is using tobacco, perhaps you can ask the family dentist to check for any signs of disease that are already developing. Kids may be persuaded to stop if their dentist tells them the risks of using tobacco.

The most important thing is to be understanding of your child. Teens are curious about these dangerous new things they come into contact with in high school. Give your best advice, impart the knowledge they need to make good decisions, and the rest is in the hands of your child. 

(Photo : Shawn Laib)

Shawn Laib writes and researches for the life insurance comparison site, TopQuoteLifeInsurance.com. He wants to help warn parents about the risks of tobacco products for today's youth.