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Craig — Jane Harmon, Moffat County High School principal, said she is familiar with the cans and the packs.

But, recently, another form of tobacco has begun infiltrating the school's population: Finely ground tobacco, commonly known as snuff. The tobacco is inhaled through the nose and can come in small, square cans - containers that easily can be mistaken for breath mint cans, Harmon said.

Through a metallic hole at the top of the container, the user can insert a straw and inhale the tobacco.

The metallic cans are a source of anxiety for Harmon and her staff.

This year, seven out of 18 tobacco-related incidents reported have involved snuff.

Unlike cigarettes, snuff can be used "in a moment," Assistant Principal Thom Schnellinger said, making it an easy substance to use on school grounds.

And, unlike chewing tobacco, it doesn't leave a telltale wad in the lower lip.

The substance carries the same health risks as other tobacco forms.

Still, the number of students caught using or carrying snuff in comparison to other tobacco products indicate that the inhaled tobacco is outpacing other nicotine sources.

The number of snuff violations recorded this year equaled that of chewing tobacco. While seven of the violations included snuff, four included cigarettes and cigars.

"I would say we might be substituting our chewing tobacco (use) with snuff," Schnellinger said.

Lisa Menges, high school sophomore, said the drug's popularity comes partly from its novelty.

"A lot of people do it because it's the new thing," she said, adding that she's seen more students using snuff this year than last year.

Some of her peers use the substance in class, she said.

The substance carries a strong smell that could be sensed from about 10 feet away, she said.

During the past two months, more teachers have been identifying snuff use in class and more students are getting caught, she added.

Multiple consequences

At the high school, tobacco is the prohibited substance most often confiscated from students, Harmon said.

In the past, the school has recorded all tobacco product confiscations together.

That changed this year, when Schnellinger and other administrators noticed snuff was "a problem," he said.

Using snuff - or any other form of tobacco - carries consequences, both with the high school and the law.

State law prohibits tobacco use, purchase and possession by individuals younger than 18 years old.

A first conviction for underage tobacco possession carries a fine of up to $30 and a mandatory tobacco cessation class, Craig Police Department commander Bill Leonard said.

The high school, however, prohibits tobacco use or possession on its property by any student, regardless of age.

Punishment for tobacco possession can include detention, referral and, upon a fourth offense, out-of-school suspension. All school cases involving students younger than 18 are referred to local law enforcement.

Not all of snuff's consequences are punitive.

"I think the nicotine side effects are exactly the same," in any tobacco product, said Dr. Thomas Told, a Craig Medical Center physician.

The physical effects of nicotine include increased blood pressure and blood vessel inflammation.

Nicotine also carries more immediate side effects, including irritability, changes in sleep patterns and changes in taste. Individuals who use snuff may also have sinus congestion or an unusual increase in other sinus problems.

Reflection of community

Harmon believes that part of the problem began outside school walls.

"I think we're a reflection of the community," she said. "The high school is a community of itself from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., but we are a reflection of a larger community."

Locally, snuff use "is a concern, for sure," said Ilanit Kateb, Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association community based program manager.

Not enough data has been collected yet to determine if snuff use is on the rise in the Yampa Valley, she added.

The finely ground tobacco itself is not Harmon's sole source of anxiety.

"My concern is, if it's not a big deal for a kid to snuff (tobacco), it's not a big thing for them to move to anything else," she said.

Schnellinger agreed.

"It does produce red flags for us," he said.

Bridget Manley can be reached at 875-1795 or bmanley@craigdailypress.com