Through With Chew

1. Through With Chew Ridding Prairie of Chewing Tobacco Use in Teens

2. How Can You Tell? • Users will have a bulge in their lip. • Users will have a “spitter” i.e., a bottle, milk carton, or other container. • Users may be conversing about it or sharing with peers. • Back pocket has a can of chew. • Possession, even if 18, is against the district policy

3. Consequences of Chewing • Chewing tobacco can cause cancer. • Chewing tobacco can cause mouth sores. • Chewing tobacco is addictive. • Chewing tobacco can cause receding gums and bone loss in teeth. • Chewing tobacco stains teeth and causes bad breath.

4. Cancer • Chewing tobacco alone can cause cancer in the mouth, throat, and stomach. • Oral cancer is the quickest spreading of all cancers.

5. Deciphering Codes of Chew • Users at the teenage level may use slang terms for chewing tobacco. Such as: • Dip • Snuff • Chew • Chad • Snarl • “Load a Fat One”

6. Plan of Action Be Aware! Procedure: • Report to security (Reports can be made anonymously) • Administration/Security notifies parents • Attendance office contacts Prevention Education Department (Cindi Schroeder- Facilitator) • Schedule Classes - Attendance office • 1st offense- 1hr tobacco education class • 2nd offense- 8 1hr tobacco education classes • 3rd offense- additional 8 1hr tobacco education classes • Class meets every Monday from 2:15-3:15 • Each year students begin with a clean slate *Prairie High School follows BGSD policies and procedures

7. Goals • Keep the students in class • In some cases chewing can result in suspension • Further punishment is left to administration • Keep the students in after school activities • Students cannot participate in after school activities the day they are in a tobacco education class • Keep Prairie Tobacco Free by educating the staff on the signs and symptoms of tobacco use in class