Snuffing it Out: A Smokeless Tobacco Intervention with Athletes at a Small Private College

This study assessed attitude, knowledge, and use of smokeless tobacco (moist snuff, dry snuff, or chewing tobacco) among male varsity athletes at a small private college. Forty-three athletes were surveyed and 17 (40%) were found to be current users. Of these users, 27% reported dipping more than on...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of American college health 1994-07, Vol.43 (1), p.27-30
Main Authors: Darmody, Donna Lynn, Ehrich, Beverly
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Athletes
attitudes
chewing tobacco
dip
Follow-Up Studies
Health Education - methods
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Intervention
knowledge
leukoplakia
Leukoplakia, Oral - etiology
Male
Plants, Toxic
Smokeless use
snuff
Sports
Students
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tobacco
Tobacco, Smokeless - adverse effects
Universities
USA
use assessment
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Summary:This study assessed attitude, knowledge, and use of smokeless tobacco (moist snuff, dry snuff, or chewing tobacco) among male varsity athletes at a small private college. Forty-three athletes were surveyed and 17 (40%) were found to be current users. Of these users, 27% reported dipping more than once a day, everyday; 25% of all users had noticed physical changes, such as white spots, inside their mouths. The wide acceptance of using smokeless tobacco was clear from the finding that 49% of those surveyed believed that athletes should be allowed to use "chew" during practice. These athletes also showed limited knowledge of the nicotine content and physiological effects of smokeless tobacco. As a result of the study, the authors developed a two-part intervention that included an educational presentation and oral screening by a local dentist and an administrative directive enforcing the National Collegiate Athletic Association's policy on smokeless tobacco use. A follow-up survey indicated the intervention had had some positive effects on the athletes' attitudes toward and knowledge about using smokeless tobacco. The survey also showed an increase from 4 to 7 in the number of former users who said they had stopped using smokeless tobacco.
ISSN:0744-8481
1940-3208
DOI:10.1080/07448481.1994.9939080