Tobacco.org

LETTER: Risks of chewing tobacco were well known 

As a retired dentist, I must say you are absolutely correct when you write, "A tobacco lawsuit involving the death of a local rodeo star ignores personal responsibility." Manufacturing oral tobacco does not cause oral cancers. Using oral tobacco does. Kent Cooper knew this and fought to kick the habit.

The truth that use of oral tobacco, snuff, snoose, Copenhagen -- whatever name you choose to use -- is a cause of cancer has been known for many years. I learned that truth in the 1940s as a dental student doing hospital rounds. Later, I saw its ravages amongst rodeo beginners and rodeo veterans while practicing dentistry in Idaho. . . .

Kent Cooper's family has a chance to leave a wonderful legacy for Kent and do his profession a great service. They can tell his story to the present generations of rodeoers. Who knows how many lives Kent's legacy might save?

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