Smokeless Tobacco Popular Among High School Athletes; Is It Safer Than Cigarettes?

It might be a problem of misinformation and perception for these high school athletes.

A recent study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that, while high school athletes smoke tobacco products at a lower rate than non-athletes, their use of smokeless tobacco is found to be at a higher rate.

"Tobacco use among youth athletes is of particular concern because most adult tobacco users first try tobacco before age 18," says Brian King, Ph.D., deputy director for research translation in the CDC Office on Smoking and Health. "The younger people are when they start using tobacco, the more likely they are to become addicted and the more heavily addicted they can become," he explains.

According to the CDC, the popularity in the use of smokeless tobacco among athletes suggests that the player-students may perceive these products as "harmless, socially acceptable, or perhaps even as a way to boost athletic performance." In reality, the CDC warns that smokeless tobacco still contains nicotine and cancer-causing chemicals, and can increase the risk of death from heart disease and stroke. The organization also cites cases of notable athletes with a history of smokeless tobacco use who have been diagnosed with or died from oral cancer.

The CDC reports, as told by Fox 28, results in figures from the study. It was noted that the current use of cigarettes and cigars dropped from 31.5 percent in 2001 to 19.5 percent in 2013. Meanwhile, the number of users of smokeless tobacco remained the same among non-athletes at 5.9 percent, while it increased among athletes from 10 percent in 2001 to 11.1 percent in 2013.

"We can do more to protect America's youth from a lifetime of addiction," urges CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. "The fact is, smokeless tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco, snuff or dip, can cause cancer of the mouth, esophagus and pancreas. And the nicotine in these products is harmful to the developing brain. Because we know tobacco-free policies in schools and other public recreational areas work, we must take action now so that our children are safe from these toxins," he continued.

"Creating 100% tobacco-free environments is one of the best ways we can set our kids up for a healthy future," US. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., M.B.A. further explained. "It helps them see that being tobacco-free is the way to better health and a longer life."