Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Feb. 21, 1985, edition 1 / Page 8
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Page 8 The Pendulum Thursday, February 21, ijj; Emphasis Despite increased evidence of its danger Smokeless tobacco is popular with Elon men By Kami Brooks Emphasis Editor Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Man and Work Horse. What comes to mind when you hear these names? Copenhagen and Skoal are finely ground tobaccos that used to be called snuff. Red Man and Work Horse are coarser, chew ing tobaccos. Today these pro ducts are called “smokeless tobaccos,” and an estimated 22 million Americans use them, compared to 15,000 a few years ago, according to the American Council on Health and Science, a nonprofit educational association. Critics say users run a high risk of getting oral cancer. In a recent broadcast of CBS’ “60 Minutes,” a reporter talked with the mother of a 19-year-old who had used smokeless tobacco and died of oral cancer. Sean Marsee of Ada, Okla., died after having used smokeless tobacco for nine months. Mrs. Marsee said, “My son probably wouldn’t have used it if a warning label had been on the can.” She said her son “feh like it was all right to use it because it wouldn’t be advertised so much otherwise.” Mrs. Marsee is suing U. S. Tobacco Co. for $37 million. More than 500 deaths have been reported in the United States due to the use of smokeless tobacco. Advertising Strategy The advertising industry is pro moting the product, especially with the use of athletes and former sports stars. Walt Gar rison, actor and former Dallas Cowboys football star, told “60 Minutes” that “the worst thing I can think of as far as smokeless tobacco is concerned is that you have to expectorate. ” He said the Skoal company, whose product he advertises, has never told him of any dangers that Skoal may have. Other celebrities who advertise smokeless tobacco include coun try and western musician Charlie Daniels and baseball stars Bobby Murcer and Carlton Fisk. Dr. James H. Edwards, a Raleigh dentist, discussed the ef fects of smokeless tobacco among his patients in a written statement. According to Edwards, “It is not unusual to see tissue change in the areas of the cheeks where the tobacco is held. This change is classified as leukoplakia and usually it will disappear when the irritant is removed.” “If the irritant (tobacco) con tinues to be used,” Edwards add ed, “then other changes such as cancerous lesions are likely to ap pear.” The Health Research Group, a Washington-based consumer organization, wants the Federal Trade Commission to require smokeless tobacco manufacturers to warn consumers that the pro ducts may cause oral cancer. The American Dental Association is also calling for warning labels to be put on the products. FTC’s Options The Federal Trade Commis sion has asked Surgeon General Everett Koop to investigate the dangers of smokeless tobacco. The FTC request for a new in vestigation, however, is viewed by Dr. Sidney Wolfe, head of the Health Research Group, as “another delay on the part of the government.” “The surgeon general already states that smokeless tobacco causes cancer, so I don’t unders tand why they are delaying, what should have been done long ago, with another scientific review,” Wolfe said. The FTC has three approaches that it can, take in regard to smokeless tobacco: develop a legislative proposal for action by Congress, bring individual cases against tobacco firms, or develop / Photos by Joe Coco WANT A PLUG?: Larry Rhodes (left) and Brad Comer find themselves chewing tobacco in their spare time. GROUP CHEW: Elon students (left to right) Art Griffin, Troy Harris, Jamey Beheler and Jim Binner get together for a chew and a talk. a general set of rules and regula tions for tobacco ads. Despite the various health reports and documented cases of oral cancer among users, smokeless tobacco seems increas ingly popular. Several students at Elon who use smokeless tobacco were interviewed about their use of the product. Mike Simonelli, who said he has been using smokeless tobac co for 11 years, said, “I use it mostly when I am playing baseball because it relaxes me.” He said he uses Levi Garrett and Skoal. He said, “I use one can every two weeks when I’m not playing baseball, but when baseball season comes around, I use two cans per week.” Simonelli also smokes cigaret tes and says he “smokes less” when he chews. He hasn’t ex perienced any mouth trouble with the use of these products. Most of his friends also chew, he said, but added, “My mom gets mad if I leave a can around the house.” Users’ Views George Poulos, who has been using smokeless tobacco for six years, said, “I started using smokeless tobacco regularly because I tried it one day and lik ed it. It is easier to use than cigarettes and smoke doesn’t get in your way.” He said he is try ing to cut down on his use because he has experienced some gum trouble. Art Griffin, a smokeless tobac co user for six y^s, said he finds the product “relaxing.” Compar ing smokeless tobacco to cigaret tes, Griffin said, “Smoyess tobacco is less dangerous becaust you’re not creating any sraoli which harms others.” He said, “If there is any harm done, it is to yourself” Larry Rhodes has been usiij smokeless tobacco for three yeaii because, he said, “cigarettes® messy and disgusting.” Hesaiil he has had no problems with his teeth; however, he admitted bii gums have receded. But he isni very worried about getting oral cancer, saying, “If I get it, Igd it.” Most of the Elon men inter viewed for this article admittedto using smokeless tobacco on the average of one can per week, They agreed that women think ii is disgusting to use smokelessi tobacco and so they try notto; chew while dating. An employee of Cloverleaf Food Market near the college sanli that Copenhagen is the best seild among the smokeless tobaccos I is kept in the freezer to insiwj freshness, she said. She addei that the store’s owner makes 1 trip to the warehouse to get fres^ tobacco two to three times 1 week. “The profits for the tobac« aren’t all that great,” she sa» The cost of a can of smokeW tobacco ranges from 90 cents to $1.23, depending on where il® purchased. “But we get a W students in here who may chase other items when they 8 their tobacco,” the CloverW employee said.
Elon University Student Newspaper
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Feb. 21, 1985, edition 1
8
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