Tribal Tobacco Prevention Program

Tribal Tobacco Prevention Program

The commercial tobacco industry pushes dangerous products that addict Native youth, and harm tribes and communities. Because Tribal Nations are not subject to state and local smoke-free laws, the commercial tobacco industry has identified sovereign communities as untapped and unprotected opportunities to maximize their profits. The tobacco industry advertises candy flavored products to hook youth. Nearly all adults who are addicted to commercial tobacco started smoking before they were 18. We are here to help our people quit.

The tobacco industry markets hard in some communities. They go after people who have faced racism and other discrimination, people earning lower incomes, and people who are stressed or struggling. It’s time for these racist and discriminatory practices to end.

AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE PEOPLES

For many tribal communities, traditional tobacco is a sacred plant used for healing, prayer and celebration. The tobacco industry harms tribes and Native communities in Oregon. It steals cultural imagery and misrepresents sacred traditions to sell its products. In Oregon, 30 percent of American Indians smoke compared to 18 percent of non-Hispanic whites.

*Facts from smokefreeoregon.com