COACH DAN'S CHALK TALK

ABOUT SMOKELESS TOBACCO

For you student athletes, perhaps the second drug of choice is tobacco - smokeless or spit tobacco. Does smokeless tobacco improve your game?  There is no evidence that players who use smokeless tobacco have an edge
on those who do not. Using smokeless tobacco increases your heart rate and blood pressure within a few minutes. This can cause a buzz or rush, but the rising blood pressure and pulse place an extra burden on your heart that may reduce your endurance.

Studies have shown that smokeless tobacco does not improve an athlete's reaction time, movement time, or total response time.

In a poll of major and minor league baseball players who were smokeless tobacco users or who had quit, not one player said he thought dipping or chewing sharpened his reflexes or improved his game. Since the players' anonymity was protected, their responses are likely to have been stated accurately.

Most of the players said they dipped or chewed for something to do, out of habit, because they were ``hooked," as a ritual, as a way to relax, or because it was part of the game.

A student athlete should know the dangers. Some of the problems caused by smokeless tobacco may seem minor like tooth staining, bad breath, and losing the taste for food. But, smokeless tobacco can cause serious damage to your teeth and gums.  The sugar in smokeless tobacco can cause  serious tooth decay and the grit can wear down the enamel on the teeth.  The strong chemicals in smokless tobacco can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth in the place where the tobacco is held.  Gum damage is very hard to repair,.and it can cause tooth loss.

The most serious problems are white patches and sores inside the mouth.  Leathery white patches develop where the tobacco comes in contact with the cheek and gums.  These patches are called leukoplakia, and are produced by the cancer-causing chemicals in the tobacco. They can turn into mouth cancer over time.  Red sores also may be warning signs of cancer.

The toxic chemicals in smokeless tobacco can cause mouth, head, and neck cancer.  Long-term snuff dippers are 50 times more likely to get mouth cancer.  But all users are at risk.  Sean Marsee, an Oklahoma track star, started using snuff at the age of 12.  He died of mouth cancer at the age of 19. Mouth cancer is very difficult to cure.

Why put poisons in your mouth? A wise student athlete knows the score about smokeless tonacco and will not use it. Why do you think there are warning messages on smokeless cans?

Finally, the NCAA has a rule which went in to effect August 1, 1994. NO SMOKELESS TOBACCO ALLOWED! Why do you think this rule was written?

Coach Dan has coached football, basketball, wrestling, and track and field.  Currently, Dr. Ziatz teaches future coaches in the School of Physical Education at West Virginia University.