National Spit Tobacco Speaker Rick Bender kicks off ?Through with Chew Week?, February 11-15, 2008, with speaking engagements at local schools and colleges.

Rick Bender started chewing tobacco at age 12 and at age 26 was diagnosed with oral cancer and lost ? of his jaw and 1/3 of his tongue. He is using his second chance at life to educate people, young and old, about the dangers of using tobacco.

Facts about how spit-tobacco can harm the mouth and throat include:

Tobacco use changes the body?s immune system and makes the user more susceptible to infections like gum disease.Spit-tobacco users are more susceptible to tooth decay because of the product?s high sugar content.Once the ingredients in tobacco get into the bloodstream, they reduce the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to mouth tissues, making it harder for sores to heal and more difficult to heal after dental procedures.Spit tobacco contains 28 known cancer-causing chemicals. Using spit tobacco and smoking greatly increase the risk of developing mouth and throat cancers.Rick will speak at the following schools:

Wachter Middle School on Feb. 11th at 8:10 a.m. to 8:42 a.m.

On Feb.12th Century High School from 9:20 a.m. to 10:25 a.m. and South Central High School from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

On Feb. 13th Simle Middle School from 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., St. Mary?s High School from 11:00 to 12 p.m. and Bismarck High School from 12:50 p.m. to 1:40 p.m.

On Feb. 14th Horizon Middle School from 8:10 a.m. to 8:55 a.m., University of Mary at 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Heskett Hall and Wing High School from 2:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For more information about tobacco prevention please visit www.bismarcktobaccofree.com | save this article / add to your favorites list