Deseret News | Reader comments: Evils of 'chew' stressed

Reader comments
Evils of 'chew' stressed

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A.E.W. | 12:53 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

This is a pretty bad thing to deal with. My dad is using that stuff. Hopefully I can get him off before it gets him too. I think this story is going to change the minds of evryone that is dealing with tobacco. This tobacco stuff is not something to deal with. I thank you all for this message.

A.E.W.

Jason | 6:11 p.m. Sept. 3, 2007

I have been chewing for a very long time,and i just recently quit.My lip has been getting sore from dippen alot so i quit it has been real hard to stop but i did its been a month.but now looks like lip is healing up but i have a sore throat that i had for a week or too. been to the doctor they said i have a sines infection that why i have a sore throat so im taking med.But u know what i think it is something else i can feel it and its scares me im goin to wait another month and if it doesent go away im goin in. I've been chewin since i was 16yrs old now im 32. maybe im freakin out or just paranoid but i pray that its not cancer i go to the dentis to get my teeth clean and they tell me that my lip is pre cancer but other then that my teeth are okay i guess whta im tryin to say is i know how much u like chewin,because i do its not worth it so try to stop i did god bless.

Patrick | 9:50 p.m. Sept. 6, 2007

I've been chewing since I was 13 and just recent a can would only last two days or less, I'm only 18 but my cousin and best friend just had news he has signs in his mouth and most likely has a small area of cancer. I dropped it in a day, its real hard and I've taken to weights to get my mind off it. I hope the facts and pictures wake up more people to the horror that is to come if they dont stop.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 11:09 p.m. Sept. 8, 2007

thats what he gets

Kristen | 10:24 a.m. Sept. 9, 2007

My husband dips a lot. I wanna say 1-2 cans a day. I am scared for him and want to print off some stories to make him realize what he is doing to himself. If you hae any good stories or pictures please email me at km_whiteley@hotmail.com. Thanks!!

Craig | 12:24 p.m. Sept. 20, 2007

I chew tobacco every day. started when i was twelve. dont plan on stopping anytime soon.

Jason | 5:47 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Craig why did you bother to leave a comment, just to prove your ignorance?

anonymous 9/23/07 | 11:26 a.m. Sept. 23, 2007

Craig I just want to say thanks for that information you are giving, many people don't really know about the danger of chewing tobacco. and if they have the info. and they want to do it well that is their desition and they will have to deal with it later sorry and thanks...

Ethan | 8:42 p.m. Sept. 26, 2007

to star off i would like to say canned tobacco is not chew its dip, bagged and bars of tabacco are chew. I am a current tobacco user and I would like to say just because rick bender got mouth cancer doesnt mean everyone will get it, somepeople smoke and dip/chew for years and have not sideaffects to it. I know its a big risk to take but I enjoy it I know someone who had cancer and a chunk of his lip was taken out but he never quit. He said that wont make me quit il quit when im 6ft under. My point is just because you odnt do it that doesnt mean you can discriminate or talk trash about the people who do it and the product itself. Many smokeless tobacco users know about the side affects that can accure but their not worried about it and niether am I mainly because I rather get cancer from doing somthing I love than to get it anyother way..

Dan | 3:45 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007

I dipped snuff for a couple years, Only a couple. Recently at work I had a pinch in and my neck started to feel like it was cramping, In my throat region. Didnt pay any mind to it till the cramping lead to numbness almost in my lower jaw. I reacted and took out my rub. Talked to my mom and her first suspission was cancer too. I thought she was just trying to scare me. The next day I bought a new can and tried to dip it but the numbness was still there.

Needless to say I am in the process of quitting. At only 19 I have no room in life for mouth cancer. I hope Im just paranoid and this isn't anything serious. That way I get a free pass go.

I will also add that I was a proud dipper too, anytime anyone told me the facts I would just say "I know, I know" and thought it aint gonna happen to me.

Mark | 3:11 p.m. Oct. 3, 2007

I have been dipping since i was 15. Im now 25 and want to quit real bad. I spend so much time and energy on a daily basis just feeling around my mouth with my tongue and just worrying. Its not worth the stress yet i still do it. Ive succesffuly quit for periods of time then started back up again. Its a terrible habit. Not to mention how expensive it is up north here its almost $8 per tin. And Craig im sure you wouldnt say that if your jaw and tongue got removed. Im sure a lot of the worry is because im so paranoid about it because ive been checked and told i was fine.

Ben | 8:16 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007

I'm 18 years old, started dippin when i was 9, had my very first lipper when i was 6. It has been over a month now since my last can was finished. I was to the point where i was goin through a can and a half, or two cans a day. I didn't like the flavored ones, so i was chewin cope snuff. I recently had a biopsy done and i have to go in and get some cancer cut out of my face. I grew up around ranches, farms, and cowboys. Everyone i know chews, i thought it was something that i had to do as a farm-boy. I just want all the farmers and ranchers out there to see what happened, I'm 18 and have cancer. Just because your a country type doesn't mean your kids need to do it, so please stop them. Thank You.

Isaiah | 11:30 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007

I've been spitting since I was 6 years old and now i'm 18. I want to quit real bad.

Geoff Dow | 3:06 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

Just wanted to say that this is a very hard addiction to quit. I started dipping in high school with hockey and junior hockey then quit or thought I had for about 8 years. I used to dip Skoal wintergreen and anytime I smelled wintergreen I would salivate and get the shakes for it - took a chew of Redman from a colleague and have been dipping again for almost two years with Skoal Straight, Cope, Skoal Vanilla and lately Skoal Bandits mint. Whether you quit dipping or not you will always be tempted by the smell and the sensation, - although I have a dip in as I type this..

Geoff Dow | 3:13 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

I was in highjschool when I started dipping and stopped for 9 years then took a chew from a colleague and am now dipping again for almost two years. There are some nicotine free brands out there which might help you or a relative quit. It is suggested to buy the same flavour as you normally chew and using an empty tin create a 7/8 regular with a 1/8 tobacco free and use this for a period of time (a month) some of the non-tobacco chew to your regular tin and slowly wean yourself off the tobacco based chew by decreasing the normal chew with the herbal chew. It might take a year or so, but will be much easier than cold turkey especially for a long time dipper.
- Hoochsnuff
- MintSnuff
- Smokey Mountain Snuff
I have tried the Smokey Mountain Cherry and although the cherry flavour is disgusting I could not notice a difference between it and Skoal Cherry!!Hope this helps and to all those dippers who say it won't happen to me I hope you are right.

Anonymous physician | 12:30 p.m. Oct. 12, 2007

If you are going to dip, at least move it around. You might want to consider at what point it will take for you to get cancer not just in the mouth to either horrendously disfigure you or kill you like it has to many so far; you never truly understand statistics until you're one of them or experience it firsthand. Is it really worth that nicotine high for those short few minutes and then you tire? It's just not the addictive nicotine (which contributes to chronic high blood pressure and increased risk for cardiovascular problems) that's absorbed into your system or slightly swallowed, the other cancer causing ingredients like nitrosamines, polonium, aren't even listed since the tobacco manufacturers can get away with it, but not for food or even household/workplace chemicals. In fact, a recent list found more than 20 cancer causing additives in tobacco. Smoking or chew is a selfish act to those around you; think of the misery you'll leave behind when you're dead or disfigured. Look at the famous people who have died from it, and educate and look up the testimonies of those who have suffered to understand your risk.

anthony | 4:45 a.m. Oct. 14, 2007

i've been dippin for 2 years now and i had a friend loose his tongue i quit dippin last week after my tongue was sore

i had the doctor look at it and the test said it was a canker sore

still i wanna keep my tongue

but im done dippin and so should everyone else!

tony | 4:55 a.m. Oct. 14, 2007

i just quit cold turkey after my bro got oral cancer and had his tongue cut out

i took an empty can of dip and filled it with coffee grounds

i know it sounds gross but it worked for me

and u know u might wanna try it

because i dont wanna get cancer and i dont want you to get cancer

so please find an alternative

not smoking

maybe a hobbie of some sort

im just 15 and i got a lotta life still in me

god bless

Mike | 10:22 p.m. Oct. 15, 2007

I just quit 8 days ago.....and it's killing me. I just cold turkyed it. I am pissed off all day. I don't want to give in now because it's been so hard but every it gets just a little better. Does anyone know when the hard cravings stop ?

Andy | 8:37 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007

I have been chewing for 3 years. I wish i had never started because it is impossible to quit.

mark | 8:27 a.m. Oct. 19, 2007

ive been doing this since iwas 10. i am now 16. i appreciate the concern of the young people.and also the comments left by every one. i just took my last one out. thanks alot

Jacob | 9:24 a.m. Oct. 19, 2007

Hi, ive been dipping since i was 11 and now im 14. my brothers buy it for me so thats how i got started. i dip grizzly wintergreen longcut. i still love it and dont plan to quit. But if i ever get cancer ill regret those 30 min at a time that i like so much. Good luck fellow dippers

billy | 3:10 a.m. Oct. 22, 2007

i have been dipping for less then a year and already have mouth cancer

asdas | 7:31 p.m. Oct. 22, 2007

will pouches give u mouth cancer as easy as regular long cut will

Combs | 4:46 a.m. Oct. 24, 2007

i just started dipping Skoal long cut citris about a month ago...after reading this...i think i'm done for good.

we'll see...

joseph | 12:23 p.m. Oct. 24, 2007

i have been dipping since i was 15 i am 17 i have never had a problem but i know that can change but it is so hard to stop because i love it when i am hunting

Raymond | 4:03 p.m. Oct. 24, 2007

I want to tell everyone that you really dont know the value of life until your life is theatened or you lose a love one by cancer- a cancer that you can choose to reduce the risk of. My father died of cancer caused by dipping. He did not want to die. He made my brother and I sware to quit. I wish that at the end of my dad's life that we had the hours that were taken away with each can that he bought.

Lesley | 9:20 p.m. Oct. 24, 2007

I never chewed tobacco in my life. I have recently developped a sore in my mouth, which may be malignant.

I've read how some people don't care about the effects of this habbit, and continue to enjoy dipping. Well, that's awesome for you, huh? But what about the people you'll leave behind, if anything happens to you? It won't be you picking up the pieces. It will be them. This is preventable, so why take that risk?

john | 12:23 p.m. Oct. 26, 2007

dip rocks keep going long and strong

ralph | 10:22 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007

never have chewed.....never will
.. don't get the point
my question is to those who do chew... why?

Bob | 9:38 p.m. Nov. 1, 2007

God, Help me stop.

candace l. | 1:39 p.m. Nov. 5, 2007

I never thought about using the stuff, i drug free!

james | 7:28 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007

i'm 16 benn dipping for a couple of years. my older brother got me started on cope snuff but it was getting to were i couldnt get it no more so i switched to red seal fine cut natural flavor. but even though my mouth hurts im still putting it in my mouth because if i dont have one when im pissed i always end up punching something or breaking something. and yes i have tried to quit but the temtation is to strong when your brother, dad, uncles, and friends that chew and all i love the taste of the dip.

james | 12:56 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007

i think it tastes great and i dont plan on quitting any time soon

Dan | 6:10 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007

I smoked cigarettes for two years and quit smoking by doing skoal. Then, i ended up doing skoal for two years. I tried quitting many times and finally I did it. It's already been 16 days and the cravings are diminishing and my lip is healing. It is possible, keep trying. I quit cold turkey and now i spit sunflower seeds(a healthy alternative). I would go though almost a tin a day. The best part about it is that i don't have the cravings anymore. I would hate more than anything when i was somewhere and was craving somewhere that i could not throw a lip in. I'm now 19 and in college. The hardest part about quitting is not throwing a lip in after i eat and when i drive, buy you need to understand that it is worth it in the long run. The first three days were hell but after the first week you realize that it is not worth going back. After the three day hump the hardest part is out of the way. Quit today.

Kevin D. | 10:02 a.m. Nov. 14, 2007

I've been chewin Vanilla Skoal for 4 yrs.Quit 23 days ago!Had stress in my life...and want to have a chew right now--been using Nicorette gum,should I try Mint chew?

Brian M | 6:29 p.m. Nov. 14, 2007

I have chewed for the last year and i have noticed alot of things change in my mouth. I have seen a reseding gum line and sorness of the lower lip sometimes so bad i have to use mouth numbing products to get rid of the pain. Peaple with this problem need to quit because I am trying and its hard to stop

Anonymous | 4:05 p.m. Nov. 15, 2007

i dip and i want to stop but all my friends dip and when i'm around them and they get one, i'm afraid i'll crave one really bad... and reading all this stuff is making me crave one... so i unfortunately am going to get one.

Dave | 12:12 a.m. Nov. 16, 2007

Im 16 and have been chewing scince i was 14 i picked it up at football camp, i hide it from my girl friend and family. I only Really do it when i go wheeling with my friends or that how it started... now i chew close to a can a day, and i have a lump in the back of moulth and i just hope that i got a free bee and i havnt thrown one in scince. This site helped convince me thank you

Derek | 2:15 a.m. Nov. 16, 2007

To Mark: To answer you, when do the bad cravings stop, for me it was around day fourteen. My gums had started bleeding and I finally decided I didn't have a choice any longer. I was using the patches and gum/sunflower seeds. I chewed cope snuff since I was fourteen, switched to pouches about a year ago. And, I do think it was easier to switch to pouches and then quit, but they still aren't "safe" I'm sure. Lifting, running, sports, fixing something, gum, seeds, they all helped me. I used to carry nasty cancer pics with me, they helped when I got a craving. Maybe something else will help for you, expirement. When do the cravings totally stop? - They haven't totally stoped for me that's why I still look at these sites. -- Good Luck -- And to those who still chew nobody on this site with a damn bit of sense is judging you or telling you to quit. Don't post things that make it tough for those who do want to quit. Thanks.

Derrick | 3:25 p.m. Nov. 16, 2007

Im16 now and had my first dip when i was 13 and didnt really start chewin until i was about 14 or 15 but it sux badly i wish i hadnt started and im gonna try and quit so i can get a girlfriend cause ive only really had 1-3 maybe since dippin lol its boring and gay without a girlfriend at 16 but i love sports which i would play every day if i could football mainly cause i like hittin people or lowering the shoulder and hittin people lol when i play with friends cause im a defensive lineman i never did that in practice and i wish i could quit so bad even though i have a dip in right now if anyone has any suggestions please right them down im going to put this site in my favorites on my account on the computer

bigSTEVE | 11:09 p.m. Nov. 18, 2007

Im 15 and I started dipping about a month ago...I only thought that cancer can happen if u have done it for a while....I have only done dip 4 times and was about to start doing it more for how awesome it makes you feel. But this article is the reason I am stopping from this day on. Thank you for this articly.

Anonymous | 7:09 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

Does anyone know how fast cancer developes with dip? i do dip about a pinch a day and i have for about 3 months now. i find it hard to believe that 1 pinch a day would cause cancer in a year. if anyone has a story of some sort to share that would give me some insight that would be great.

dont know | 6:36 p.m. Nov. 20, 2007

I don't think anyone should do tobacco!!!

Cameron | 6:51 p.m. Nov. 20, 2007

Please every person out there Please Do not do tobacco.
I Started tobacco when i got in high school
It was because a friend told me about it.
Take my advice Don't think tobacco.Try Mint snuff All mint chew 100% tobacco free 100% nicotine free and plus it tastes good.
When I tried mint snuff all mint chew mint flavor I decided not dip tobacco. I thought I should have the herbal snuff/ mint snuff instead of Skoal, Copenhagen , Ect I am 16 yrs. old now and I wished I never started tobacco.
so God Bless and I hope to see people dip mint snuff instead of tobacco.

mr.Jones | 2:20 p.m. Nov. 23, 2007

I'm "Jonesin" right now2 dip!God help lift da cravin!

Anonymous | 12:42 a.m. Nov. 25, 2007

I'm a Mom whose son started around age 14. He is now 18 and he's trying very hard to quit, although he has had a few relapses. Recently, his orthodontist noticed some tumors on his gums and now he will have to have them removed. We are not sure if the tumours are cancerous or not, but we will find out after. I am very scared for my son and I pray that he will be able to stop. It is a very helpless feeling as a mother, as he must make the decision to quit himself. I am just trying to be as supportive as I can. I read all of the comments from other readers and hope and pray that anyone addicted to this terrible stuff, can be stronger than their addictions. Your comments gave me a better understanding of what my son is up against.

Cancer | 10:41 a.m. Nov. 25, 2007

Cancer comes from a mutation on a cell's dna that can't be repaired by your body. So essentially everytime you are exposed to a carcinogen you may develop cancer, though the % chance is extremely low.

chris | 4:06 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I've been dipping for 5 months now and i want to quit. But it's harder than you'd imagine.Im going to start lowering each dip i take untill i have none left then throw the can away.I have no muth problems but i will in a few years if i keep doing it i am sure.Im 18 and started a month after i turned from a friend of mine that had his first time to.It hit me real hard beacuse i wasn't used to dipping chew.And i almostthrew up but then the more i did it it got more enjoyable. But all and all i will quit soon.Thank you for all the others that have taken time to tell how they feel about the habbit of dipping.But it does make me happy and thats the only thing that is worth taken it.

Jordan | 6:33 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I ve been chewing for about 2 years now. Im 16 years old and started when i was 14. About a week ago i noticed a small white sore on the front of my tongue, but it went away. I have stopped, i just spit sun flower seeds it helps alot. im feeling alot better. This story brings awareness to alot of people and im glad he has put his voice out there. Thanks alot!

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Stuart Johnson, Deseret News

Former baseball player Rick Bender speaks at UVSC about surviving oral cancer caused by chewing tobacco. He lost part of his tongue and jaw in surgeries.