‘Play with grit. Strive to hit. But never spit!’

The campaign will reach tens of thousands of young baseball and softball players and their families and bring more attention to the dangerous habit of chewing tobacco.

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 Centers 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 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, especially 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 America. “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 will receive an all-expense paid trip to the Little League Baseball World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., and a cash prize. In addition, OHA will donate $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 contest record.

(Source: Oral Health America)