My 14 yo nephew just started chewing tobacco...

[disneysnowflake]

and his father said, "Now you found something to do that's cool." ????

Since when is chewing tobacco cool? Since when is being addicted to something cool? Since when is a wad of tobacco under your lip cool? Since when is brown teeth and bad breath cool? Since when is spitting that nasty stuff on the ground or whatever cool?

And who would encourage and pat their son on the back for doing such a thing??

I was floored he said that about his son. This is the same man who called his own son a Band Geek because he played the trumpet in the school band. He quit last year. This is the same man who is 45 years old and still doesn't know how and refuses to do his own laundry. This is the same man who refused to watch his son while his wife (my sister) worked weekends.

We were at my other nephew's birthday party when my brother in law announced proudly about his 14 yo son's new habit. My sister just shrugged her shoulders. I'm sure she isn't happy about it, but she won't stop her son from using chewing tobacco.

Ugh. I can't believe a parent would actually encourage and be proud of their teenager using that nasty stuff.

Forgot to add this... he still wears braces!!

 

[Pooh67_68]

Originally posted by disneysnowflake
and his father said, "Now you found something to do that's cool." ????


Sounds like his father need to grow up a bit.

 

[browneyes]

Yuck!

Your bil sounds like a lumphead. No disrespect intended.

 

[poohbears5]

 

[Chattyaholic]

Doesn't sound like the boy has a good role model in his father, that's so sad. My DH chews tobacco too and I hate it. He chewed years ago, and the dentist told him he was getting white spots inside his mouth because of it, so he did quit for several years then for some reason started up again. At least this time he spits, last time he would swallow. I hated to think about him getting cancer of the mouth or throat, and even with spitting he could still get cancer in his mouth but there isn't much I can do about it since he's a grown man and old enough to make his own decisions. I keep telling him, since I'm losing weight he should quit, but he doesn't want to so won't. Hopefully your nephew will realize that chewing tobacco is NOT "cool" and he will quit.

 

[tar heel]

I like browneyes' word -- "lumphead"

It sounds like your sister has put up with this so long that she is worn down. If she wasn't, she could show him some pictures of the aftermath of mouth cancer surgery. Most 14-year-olds are concerned enough about their appearance that they might be concerned about that . Maybe he'll get lucky and like some girl who tells him it's gross.

 

[Dr. Quack]

Both father and son should have a long, serious discussion with their dentist about the dangers of chewing tobacco. Your nephew is still growing and is risking permanent damage to his teeth. Tooth abrasion, increased risk of decay, especially in areas covered by the braces, receding gums, tooth discoloration are just some of the dangers he faces.

If he feels he must continue, he should advise his dentist and have regular exams for abrasions or lesions. Some signs of dental trouble:

A sore that does not heal
A lump or white patch
A prolonged sore throat
Difficulty in chewing
Restricted movement of the tongue or jaws
A feeling of something in the throat

Hopefully, he will continue regular dental check-ups and his dentist can persuade him to give up this habit.

 

[tidoublegger]

Two words: mouth cancer

 

[phorsenuf]

Don't you have to be 18 to buy the stuff just like cigarettes?

If so, who is buying it for him? If its his Dad he could get arrested for contributing to a delinquency of a minor (which doesn't sound like a bad idea....maybe it'll wake him up a bit)!

 

[dsnylvr]

In most states possession of tobacco is illegal by individuals under 18. If the father is supplying the tobacco, he too can be charged. Sounds like maybe a call to child protective services should be in order, or an anonymous call to where the boy attends school and talk to the school resource officer.

Good luck.

 

[Piglet]

Your BIL is crazy. My DH is trying to quit chewing tobacco. Today he is at the oral surgeon to have 2 teeth cut out from horrible decay from chewing. I'm sure having his jaw swollen twice its size and not able to chew will keep him from it for a few days. Hoping he succeeds - so far it has been 9 days. He says it is an awful addiction.

Tell your nephew that a man from my area had to have part of his tongue cut out because of chewing and eventually ended up with throat cancer. One night an artery exploded in his neck that was weakened from treatment and he survived but finally quit.

Melinda

 

[RAZ24]

I just had to comment on this. My DH has been chewing for 22 years, on and off. He can not quit. He has gone for a year or so, but has always gone back. It is highly addictive IMO.

I don't know if they do this anymore, but when we were in college, one of the companies who makes the stuff brought 100's of cans to the school. Our students (including DH) then handed it out to other students, and the addiction began. I truly believe if not for that event, my husband would have never started.

Anyway, sore subject in our home at times.

Christine

 

[Jynohn]

It's a sore subject here too. My DH has been chewing since he was in high school and has been trying for years to quit. I've heard that it is more addictive than cigarettes.

I think it's a disgusting habit, and at least DH won't do it around me, but I'm still very concerned about his health. We used to fight about it constantly but I've finally come to realize that it's his habit to break. I can lecture all I want but there's nothing I can do about it. Like someone else pointed out though, he is a grown man and not a child. DH is worried enough himself that he sees the dentist regularly to check for any sores, etc. but no matter how hard he tries he can't seem to quit.

Please let your sister know how dangerous this is so she can try to stop your nephew before he gets addicted too. As for your brother-in-law, well I guess since I don't have anything nice to say, I won't say anything at all

Good luck!

 

[gallaj0]

Have him visit www.cancer.org, they have plenty of information that would discourage him from using it.

Also, call your local baseball team, adn see if they have any players willing to make an appearance at his school about it. Chewing tobacco has been (and still is) a big problem in baseball, adn many players have had problems caused by an early start on the stuff.

Edit to add:

Also try www.nstep.org which is just for chewing tobacco and youg people. They have some pretty graphic stories and pictures of the results there.