In addition to causing potentially deadly cancers in the mouth, esophagus and pancreas, smokeless tobacco can lead to gum disease and other mouth problems, says South Barrington dentist Katina Spadoni. (Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com)
The Cubs’ Addison Russell, right, now chews gum, not tobacco. (Associated Press)
Candy bars are still allowed, but starting in June, smokeless tobacco, such as this chew once hawked by White Sox legend Nellie Fox, will be banned at Chicago sports venues. Chewing tobacco has been known to cause oral, esophageal and pancreatic cancer. Fox died of skin cancer in 1975 at age 47. (Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com)
A strong supporter of Chicago’s ban on smokeless tobacco at sports venues that will take effect in June, South Barrington dentist Katina Spadoni says she sees some of her young patients already hooked on cancer-causing chewing tobacco. (Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com)
In addition to causing oral, esophageal and pancreatic cancer, smokeless tobacco is thought to play a key role in heart disease, gum disease and other oral lesions. South Barrington dentist Katina Spadoni, right, studies one patient’s X-rays with dental hygienist Bev Blake. (Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com)
As the Chicago Cubs’ starting shortstop, 22-year-old Addison Russell is building a reputation as a complete ballplayer. An elite fielder with a reliable arm, Russell got two hits Wednesday to help the 20-6 Cubs sweep the Pittsburgh Pirates. Russell also has driven in 14 runs and contributed clutch, game-winning hits. But he’s missing something that first became part of his game during high school.
In the season’s home opener, Russell, playing without a wad of cancer-causing chewing tobacco in his mouth for the first time at Wrigley Field, cracked a 3-run home run that propelled his Cubs to an amazing 5-3 win.
“Which I think is awesome,” says South Barrington dentist KatinaSpadoni, who is glad Russell is helping the Cubs compile the best record in baseball but uses her “awesome” to describe Chicago’s upcoming ban on smokeless
