Dental Tribune U.S.Edition

a14 Dental Tribune U.S. Edition | August 2014 Industry News Ad Teaming up with Little League Baseball and Softball, the annual contest calls on players ages 8-14 to create a compelling, 10-word phrase describing the dangers of spit tobacco for a chance to win a trip to the Little League Baseball World Series and a cash prize. “It’s an awesome program, and I told him that the most important thing is that maybe you’ll convince someone not to start,” said Alex’s mother, Beth Smith. “That’s the whole key — if you don’t start, then you don’t have to quit.” The recent tragic loss of Tony Gwynn to oral cancer highlights the fact that educating Americans about the dangers of spit tobacco is more important than ever. The latest numbers from the Cen- ters for Disease Control and Prevention show that while cigarette use continues to decline, spit tobacco use remains the same. In addition, almost half of all new users start before the age of 18, with 8.8 percent of all high school students using smokeless tobacco as of 2013. Through the slogan contest and other advocacy and education efforts throughout the year, NSTEP works to educate people, es- pecially young people, about spit tobacco and helps all users quit. “NSTEP provides Little League athletes with an opportunity to start a dialogue about an alarming trend in tobacco use on and off the field,” said Beth Truett, president and CEO of Oral Health Ameri- ca. “We are thrilled about the enthusiasm of youth engaging their peers with an important message about the dangers of smokeless tobacco.” As the winner of the slogan contest, Alex received an all-expense paid trip to the Little League Baseball World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., and a cash prize. In addition, OHA is donating $500 to Alex’s local Little League program, the Falls Church Kiwanis Little League. “Little League is pleased to be a part of helping educate Little League players about the risks associated with the use of spit tobacco,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League president and CEO. “We hope that by participating in the slogan contest we help increase awareness for Little League players, coaches and their parents. We thank Oral Health America and commend them on NSTEP’s efforts.” The winning slogan was chosen out of nearly 1,500 submissions from Little Leaguers from across the country, a con- test record. To learn more about spit tobacco, please visit www.nstep.org. There you will find brochures with resources to help current users quit and fact sheets that explain exactly why smokeless isn’t harmless (Source: Oral Health America) Oral Health America program educates youth about the dangers of spit tobacco Oral Health America (OHA) recently announced the winner of its 13th Annual NSTEP (National Spit Tobacco Education Program) Slogan Contest. Twelve-year- old Falls Church, Va.-native Alex Smith’s slogan, “Play with grit. Strive to hit. But never spit!” was featured throughout the upcoming Little League Baseball World Series. The campaign reaches tens of thou- sands of young baseball and softball players and their families with the goal of bringing more attention to the danger- ous habit of chewing tobacco. Alex Smith, 12, of Falls Church, Va., is the 2014 winner of Oral Health America’s annual anti-spit-tobacco slogan contest. His winning entry, ‘Play with grit. Strive to hit. But never spit!’ earns him a cash prize and an all- expenses paid trip for two to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. Plus, Oral Health America is donating $500 to Alex’s local Little League program, the Falls Church Kiwanis Little League. Photo/Provided by Oral Health America Tell us what you think! Is there a topic you would like to see ar- ticles about in Dental Tribune U.S.? Let us know via feedback@dental-tribune.com. To change your subscription, send an email to database@dental-tribune.com, and include the name of the publication in question. See OHA IN the AADOM Exhibit Hall

Dental Tribune U.S.Edition

Pages Overview