My WebMD Sign In

Please enter email address

Enter your password

Keep me signed in on this computer

Show more Information

If you select "Keep me signed in on this computer", every time you visit WebMD.com you won't have to type your email address and password. This means that a cookie will stay on your computer even when you exit or close your browser which may reduce your levels of privacy and security. You should never select this option if you're using a publicly accessible computer, or if you're sharing a computer with others. Even if you select this option there are some features of our site that still require you to log in for privacy reasons.

Forget your password? Having trouble signing in?

Why should I
sign up for WebMD?

With a WebMD Account you can:

Track your way to weight loss success
Manage your family's vaccinations
Join the conversation

See more benefits Sign Up

Why WebMD?

My WebMD

Show Menu

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

WebMD Home

Smoking Cessation Community

Is father-in-law chewing again?

I hope you don't mind that this is not about me, but it's about my father-in-law. He...

Posted by WorriedOverFIL

I hope you don't mind that this is not about me, but it's about my father-in-law. He was a "Red Man" (as he called it) for 25+ years, and he decided that once his oldest grandson was born (my husband's and my son), he'd quit chewing tobacco. He tried the alternatives, and he's been successful I assume. He had a lapse a couple years back, and he's been trying to officially quit for four years now. Anyways, to get where I'm going with this, we are up at my in-laws for New Year's for a few days, and I noticed my father-in-law with a packet of some kind sticking out of his back pocket. I saw him put something from that packet into his mouth and begin to move it around. He spit a brown fluid out. He even took it out of his cheek with a couple fingers and threw whatever it was away.

I confronted him about it, and he said it was a chewing tobacco alternative. Not that I want to admit that my father-in-law might be concealing the truth, but I wouldn't let it go, so I researched a bit about it on-line. I found the cans, but I didn't find any alternative one that came in a bag. He wouldn't let me see the bag, so I went on what I remembered from seeing him do it earlier. The bag itself was dark green, with a white strip around the outside. To me, that's Red Man. Without seeing the whole bag, what little I saw looked like Red Man chewing tobacco. Without knowing much about any of the alternative products, I assume he's chewing again. He was defensive toward me, and when I told my husband about it, he said that his father's a grown man, and if he said it's not tobacco, then he believes him without having to ask him about it.

So yes, I'm too paranoid about it, because I want the man to quit chewing if he is indeed doing it again. But without much help from my husband, or him on the matter, I am here. And my next question is silly, but I want to ask it. Are there alternative chewing tobacco packets that look like a Red Man one? Are there in fact dark green packets that contain tobacco-free "chew"? Silly to ask, I know. Also, do those alternatives still make the person spit brown saliva, and do you have to take the "wad" of it out of your mouth? Or, is he just chewing again? Sorry for the long post, and probable paranoia. I just want to help my father-in-law to quit, if he is indeed doing it again.View Thread

Posted byWorriedOverFIL

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Is father-in-law chewing again? I hope you don't mind that this is not about me, but it's about my father-in-law. He...

See Related Mental Health Communities

See All Communities

Women's Health Newsletter

Find out what women really need.

Other Smoking Cessation Information

The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.

Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.