Tobacco or Candy: Can you tell the difference?

Do you know what's in your child's backpack? The Washington County Health Partners, Inc., a local nonprofit organization in Washington County, recently created an education toolkit to display the similarities between tobacco products and candy. 

"It's important to educate teachers and principals on these products so they know what to look for in the schools," said Lindsey Smith, nutritionist, owner of The Real You and the project's contact person.

The "What's in Your Child's Backpack" educational toolkit was developed as a regional effort across 10 counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The goal is to inform government officials, community organizations and school personnel about the new products tobacco companies are making, which appeal to younger users, according to a news release.

"Cigarettes and snuff are becoming a thing of the past," said Smith. "People can now get a quick fix of nicotine on a tablet, hand gel, or a bottle of water. These products are appealing to youth because they not only look like candy, they taste like candy and they are cheaper in price."

The backpack includes spitless Snus, dissolvable tobacco pieces, flavored cigars, flavored snuff, nicotine bottled water and nicotine hand gel, among other items.

"Most of these products are under $3, easy to hide, and look, taste and smell like candy," said Lee Rutledge-Falcione, executive director of Washington County Health Partners, Inc. 

"Agressive marketing and development of these new products is promoting the use of smokeless products and putting our youth at risk," she said. "It is very important that tobacco use prevention education continues, even in this tight budget year."

To schedule a presentation for a school, community organization or parent group, call Lindsey Smith at 724-222-6511, ext 13 or e-mail her at ls@wchpinc.org.