Letter to the editor

To the Editor:

Through With Chew Week is February 18-24! We’ve known for over fifty years that tobacco is killing us – millions of people have quit using, and there are more ex-users in America than there are tobacco addicts. Cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, cigars, they’re all part of an expensive, unhealthy habit on the way out – and the State of Montana wants to speed up the process. If you’re addicted to tobacco, or know someone who is, break out of the habit – call the Montana QuitLine (1-800-QUIT-NOW) or the American Indian Quit Line (1-855-372-0037) and find out how our counselors, nicotine replacement therapy, and discounted medication can help you regain control of your life.

Tobacco addiction doesn’t have to be dealt with alone. This week, Montanans can take part in a campaign to fight back. “Through With Chew and The Great American Spit Out,” February 18-24, is designed to raise awareness about spit tobacco and the variety of other dangerous nicotine-containing products on the market. Take this first step to protect yourself or someone you know from the health risks of dipping.

It’s not just cancer – tobacco and nicotine damage your heart, combine with diabetes to impair your circulation, and make you vulnerable to all manner of dangerous and debilitating ailments. Stop using them, help your parents and brothers and sisters and cousins quit, don’t let your kids start, make your life healthier and independent of the tobacco companies. They take your money, and give you . . . what, exactly?

I encourage you to join the statewide campaign, sponsored by the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program (MTUPP) and Darlynn Williams, RN. Be aware of industry targeting and the destructive power of nicotine addiction that has been harnessed for enormous corporate profits.

Darlynn Williams, RN

406-436-2297