Summary

In this activity, teens give a presentation of what is in smokeless tobacco. Using a blender and various basic ingredients, educate your audience on what smokeless tobacco contains and its dangers.

Goals and Outcomes

• Increase smokeless tobacco

Estimated cost

Less than $20

Materials

• Set-up area like a table or counter
• Blender
• Extension Cord (if needed to reach an electrical outlet)
• 5 Containers (to hold each ingredient)
• Labels for containers
• Empty “spit” container to present the final product after blending
• Water (formaldehyde)
• 7-Up (benzene)
• Brown sugar (arsenic)
• Gray/Silver cake-decorating balls (lead)
• Shredded beef jerky (tobacco leaves)

Descritpion

We do not want you to use any of the “real” ingredients that go into smokeless tobacco for your demonstration. ONLY USE THE ALTERNATIVE INGREDIENTS SUGGESTED BELOW. The listed ingredients are listed with the ingredient they represent from the actual tobacco product.

• Water (formaldehyde)
• 7-Up (benzene)
• Brown sugar (arsenic)
• Gray/silver cake-decorating balls (lead)
• Shredded beef jerky (tobacco leaves)

Set-up

1. Label each container with the name of an ingredient: “Formaldehyde”, “Benzene,” “Arsenic,” “Lead,” “Tobacco.” (Remember, you’ll only use harmless substitutes for these products.)
2. Put the five harmless ingredients into each of their own containers with labels on them.
3. Set up your table by placing the ingredients to the left and right of the blender, which should be in the middle of the table. If you have a banner or sign for your group, place it either on the table front (if small sign) or behind you on the side.

Suggested script

Step right up and see what ingredients are in smokeless tobacco. Big Tobacco calls it “smokeless tobacco” so it sounds like it’s harmless. Guess again!

This is the story Big Tobacco doesn’t want you to hear. Look at these ingredients. 

First, you start with tobacco. We’ve picked a beauty, “Copenhagen.” (Put beef jerky in blender.)

But, Big Tobacco doesn’t stop there. 

You’ve got lead. That’s right; lead is in smokeless tobacco. How many of you read every day about the dangers of lead poisoning? It can lead to brain damage and even death if taken in large quantities or over a long period of time. (Put cake-decorating balls into blender.)

But, Big Tobacco doesn’t stop there.

Smokeless tobacco also contains benzene. Never heard of benzene? Well, it is a highly flammable substance that is used in gasoline and paints…and long-term exposure is linked to leukemia. It can cause vomiting, rapid heart rate and red blood cells reduction in your body. (Add 7-Up to blender.)

 But, Big Tobacco doesn’t stop there.

Did you know that arsenic is also in smokeless tobacco? Arsenic. The chemical of choice for murderers and mystery writers. It’s used in rat poison and can cause vomiting, abnormal heart rate and death. (Add brown sugar to blender.) 

But, Big Tobacco doesn’t stop there.

You’ve got formaldehyde. This stuff is used to preserve dead animals. It’s an embalming fluid and, you guessed it, it’s in “smokeless” and “chew” products. (Add water to your blender.)

Big Tobacco doesn’t stop there.

They add another 15 to 20 ingredients. Some we know about and some we don’t because they refuse to tell anyone what other ingredients are included in smokeless tobacco.

But, you wouldn’t have a tobacco product if you didn’t have this one last ingredient. What do you think it is? Nicotine. It’s not bad enough that all those dangerous chemicals are in smokeless tobacco. No, Big Tobacco has to hook you on it so they can slowly rot out your gums, throat, cheeks and mouth. (Blend ingredients and put concoction into a “spit” container.) 

So, why does Big Tobacco include so much bad stuff in “spit?” Why don’t you ask them? Keep or delete?

And if you don’t think it’s a problem among youth in South Dakota…think about this: 2 times as many South Dakota high school students use smokeless tobacco than the national average for the same age.

Timeline

less than a week to plan; total presentation is about 10-15 minutes. This event can be done anytime of the year. If you are looking to link it to an event, the Great American Spitout happens every February!

Resources

• South Dakota Department of Health, Tobacco Use Infographic