Native Communities
- Risks to health among American Indian/Alaska Native high school students in the United States
- Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act: Strengthening Tribal Sovereignty and Health
- Smoke-Free Policies: Protecting Tribal Sovereignty and Community Health
- Keep It Sacred National Native Network Program Brief, Feb. 2012
- Walking Toward the Sacred: Our Great Lakes Tobacco Story
NEW SMOKEFREE TRIBAL GAMING BROCHURE
As countries, states and municipal governments move toward securing smokefree
workplaces and public spaces for their citizens, smokefree policies are becoming
the norm. Tribal governments also have a unique opportunity to protect those
individuals residing, working, or visiting in sovereign tribal lands. In a collaborative
project with the National Native Network and the ANR Foundation, a new publication,
Smokefree Tribal Gaming - Breathe Easy, can now assist Native Communities
as they advance toward smokefree gambling. This resource is available for
only $1.00 on our Merchandise
page.
Implementing
policies that substantially limit or eliminate commercial tobacco use in
tribally-controlled spaces is an effective way of reducing the health risks
associated with secondhand smoke exposure. Despite common misconceptions about
non-smoking sections and expensive ventilation systems, 100% smoke-free polices
remain the only proven method of protecting tribal members, employees, and tribal
business patrons from the dangers of secondhand smoke.
As states and local municipal governments move toward securing smoke-free public spaces for their citizens, smoke-free polices are becoming the global trend. Tribal governments have a unique opportunity to protect those individuals residing, working, or visiting sovereign tribal lands. Everyone should have the right to breathe clean air.
For further resources, please visit Keep It Sacred.
In
addition, please read Tribal
Casinos: Creating Safe, Healthy Workplaces.
CDC: Tips from Former Smokers
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Traditional Use of Tobacco (Can-sa-sa, Kinnickkinnick, Asemaa…)
Tobacco has an important role in traditional
American Indian life. For tribes throughout North America, the use of traditional
tobacco plant for spiritual, ceremonial and medicinal purposes goes back
thousands of years. Most Indigenous nations have traditional stories explaining
how tobacco was introduced to their communities, many of which emphasized the
sacred properties of the plant, containing both the power to heal if used properly
and the power to cause harm if used improperly.
This historic and enduring relationship with sacred tobacco must be recognized
and addressed when shaping meaningful, culturally appropriate tobacco-related
policies in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Tobacco-free Spaces
Establishing commercial tobacco-free spaces is one of the most important things that can be done to protect the health of tribal nations. Cigarette and chew-free spaces provide five significant benefits to the community:
- Commercial tobacco-free spaces protect community members from the
deadly effects of secondhand smoke. (Glantz, S.A. & Parmley, W.,
"Passive Smoking and Heart Disease: Epidemiology, Physiology, and Biochemistry,"
Circulation, 1991; 83(1): 1-12; and, Taylor, A., Johnson, D. &
Kazemi, H., "Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Cardiovascular Disease,"
Circulation, 1992; 86:699-702 and Health Harms from Smoking and Other
Tobacco Use, National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids, October 8, 2002.)
Secondhand Smoke: Destroying Health and Tradition (YouTube video)
White Earth Tribal Health Theater Ad (WMV format; large file, may be slow to load)
White Earth Tribal Health Children Are Sacred Ad (WMV format; large file, may be slow to load)
- Commercial tobacco-free spaces reduce children's exposure to adults
modeling unhealthy behaviors.
It's Everybody's Air (YouTube video)
My Children Are Sacred (YouTube video)
- Commercial tobacco free spaces provide support to those who are choosing
to quit.
- Commercial tobacco-free spaces save limited tribal dollars.
The Indian Health Service estimates that it spends about $200 million dollars
annually to treat tobacco related diseases. (W. Ron Allen, President of the
National Congress of American Indians, to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
Oversight Hearing on the Unmet Health Care Needs in Indian County. May 21,
1998)
- Commercial tobacco-free spaces protect the environment. Tobacco
use is not just a health issue; it is also an environmental issue. Cultivation
of tobacco for commercial products rapidly depletes nutrients from the soil
and requires extensive use of herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals.
Commercial tobacco use also contributes to air pollution, deforestation, and
increases in landfill. Globally, more than nine million acres of forests are
cut down each year to make cigarettes. (Novotny, T.E., Lum, K., Smith, E.,
Wang, V., and Barnes, R., Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2009 May,
6(5): 1691-1705, published online 2009 May 20. doi 10:3390/ijerph6051691)
Tribal Commercial Tobacco Smokefree Policies
There
has been a tremendous amount of growth in Commercial Tobacco-Free Policies on
tribal lands in recent years. A recent assessment of tribal tobacco free policies
showed overwhelming support to make tribal offices completely smokefree (90%
of respondents from 11 different tribes surveyed support this policy) and most
support restaurants going smokefree. Although we do not know the exact number,
but many tribes and Native Communities now have smokefree policies for tribal
buildings.
Recent Tribal Smokefree Policies:
- Blackfeet
Tobacco Free Act
Blackfeet Tobacco Free Act 2005, the first codified commercial tobacco ordinance in Indian Country. (See also the smokefree Resolution.) On May 11, 2011, in a 5-4 tribal council vote, the Blackfeet Nation enacted a smokefree policy for the Glacier Peaks Casino in Browning, Montana. "The council believes we're putting our people's health above all," Chairman Willie A. Sharp Jr. told the Great Falls Tribune. "The opportunity will still be there to go and gamble, just minus the smoke."
- Fort
Peck Tribes Ordinance 1906-2007-8
Fort Peck's "Ohinni Candi Wakandapi/Chani Wakan K/Nusa" (Keep Tobacco Sacred) Act has a 100% commercial tobacco free ordinance for all tribal buildings, workplaces, bars/restaurants and casino/gaming.
- Cherokee
Nation Tobacco Free Environment Policy
Cherokee Nation prohibits the use of all tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco, inside or outside all Cherokee Nation Governmental properties, facilities, clinics, including rest rooms, conference rooms, lounge areas, break rooms, storage areas, warehouse spaces, and lunch rooms/cafeterias.
- OST
Smoke-Free Ordinance
Oglala Sioux Tribal buildings and all offices of the Oglala Sioux Tribal programs are designated as smoke-free.
- Navajo Nation Executive Order
No. 02-2011
2011 Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly signed an Executive Order for 100% smokefree workplaces including casinos to protect the health of the Navajo people and public.
Smokefree Tribal Gaming
"We opened 100% smoke-free in 1997. We've expanded 100%
smoke-free. And even smokers thank us for it."
- Mark Kaplan, former Marketing Director, Taos Mountain Casino, Taos, New Mexico
- The Taos Mountain Casino in New Mexico is 100% smokefree.
- In 2006, the Muckleshoot Tribe in Washington, which operates the
largest casino in the state, opened a completely non-smoking casino.
- The Lucky Bear Casino, and the Win-River Casino in California
are 100% smokefree.
- The 4 Bears Casino and Lodge in North Dakota is 100% smokefree.
- Two Onieda one-stop casinos in Wisconsin are 100% smokefree.
- Turtle Mountain Chippewa Casino in Belcourt, ND is 100% smokefree.
Stay Tuned:
- Bois Forte Tobacco Education & Policy Development group will be working
with the Bois Forte Culture Committee to designate traditional Pow-wows as
smokefree by 2012.
- Minnesota held its first Commercial Tobacco-Free Intertribal Pow-wow where
only traditional tobacco was allowed in and outside this event.
- Nez Perce held it's first completely smokefree Pow-wow May 2011 in Lewiston,
Idaho.
- Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe is actively advancing policy to make
all tribal workplaces 100% smokefree
Benefits of Smokefree Tribal Policies SMOKEFREE TRIBAL POLICIES
Implementing
policies that eliminate commercial tobacco use in tribally-controlled spaces
is an effective way of reducing the health risks associated with secondhand
smoke exposure.
Tribal governments have a unique opportunity to protect those individuals residing, working, or visiting sovereign tribal lands. Everyone should have the right to breathe clean air.
A smoke-free resolution or ordinance will protect many tribal employees, children, and adult tribal members from secondhand smoke, improving health and decreasing sick days.
Our tribal governments can demonstrate their leadership in being proactive to protect the health of all tribal members.
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Smokefree & Related News
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SouthWind Casino
Kaw City Celebrates Grand Opening SouthWind Casino Kaw City celebrated its grand opening on Friday, 11 days after it officially opened. A large crowd turned out to recognize the start of the first smoke-free casino in the state of Oklahoma. SouthWind Casino General Manager Pam Shaw expressed her gratitude to the Kaw Nation and Kaw Enterprise Authority leadership for helping get this historic facility off the ground. Navajo
President Shelly celebrates non-smoking in... President Shelly praised the efforts of the non smoking
initiative and thanked the officers for their service. He also told
a joke and made everyone laugh, ... Okla.
Gov stays quiet on tobacco compacts Smoke-free
casino in Oklahoma the exception in the area Smoke-free
casino to open as Oklahoma Indian gaming revenue continues to rise Margalit, R.; Watanabe-Galloway, S.; Kennedy, F.; Lacy, N.; Red, S.K.;
Vinson, L.; Kills, S.J., "Lakota
elders' views on traditional versus commercial/addictive tobacco use:
oral history depicting a fundamental distinction," Journal
of Community Health [Epub ahead of print], January 22, 2013. McKOSATO:
Commentary: Native ties to tobacco run deep Two
more Alaska tribes adopt tobacco-free resolutions Two
more tribes go tobacco-free in Southeast Alaska Godlaski, T.M., "Holy smoke: tobacco use among Native American tribes in North America," Substance Use and Misuse [Epub ahead of print], November 15, 2012. Filippi, M.K.; McCloskey, C.; Williams, C.; Bull, J.W.; Choi, W.S.;
Allen, G.K.; Daley, C.M., "Perceptions,
barriers, and suggestions for creation of a tobacco and health website
among American Indian/Alaska Native college students, " Journal
of Community Health [Epub ahead of print], November 13, 2012. Nadeau, M.; Blake, N.; Poupart, J.; Rhodes, K.; Forster, J.L., "Circles of tobacco wisdom: learning about traditional and commercial tobacco with Native elders," American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 43(5 Suppl 3): S222-S228, November 2012. Alaska
Native Tribal Health Consortium fighting tobacco use Red
Hawk Casino Named Best Casino in Nine Western States $75
Million Expansion Makes Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino ... LETTER:
Tribe not concerned about air quality Mike Wiggins Jr., chairman of the Bad River Indian Nation claims to be concerned about “air quality” in an article published June 13 when it comes to iron ore mines, yet workers employed in the Bad River Casino are forced to work in a smoke-filled workplace, which is more devastating to human health than any mine would be. Mike Wiggins Jr. doesn’t want to discuss the quality of air in casinos ... this was his only response to me when I tried to broach the issue with him. ... Wolfe, B.; Jakubowski, J.; Haveman, R.; Courey, M., "The income and health effects of tribal casino gaming on American Indians," Demography 49(2):499-524, May 2012. Abstract: The legalization of American Indian casino gaming in the late 1980s allows examination of the relationship between income and health in a quasi-experimental way. Revenue from gaming accrues to individual tribes and has been used both to supplement tribe members' income and to finance tribal infrastructure. We assembled annual data from 1988-2003 on tribal gaming, health care access (from the Area Resource File), and individual health and socioeconomic characteristics data (from the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System). We use this information within a structural, difference-in-differences framework to study the effect of casino gaming on tribal members' income, health status, access to health care, and health-related behaviors. Our difference-in-differences framework relies on before-after comparisons among American Indians whose tribe has at some time operated a casino and with-without comparisons between American Indians whose tribe has and those whose tribe has not initiated gaming. Our results provide identified estimates of the positive effect of gaming on American Indian income and on several indicators of American Indian health, health-related behaviors, and access to health care. Tribal
Gaming Linked to Improvements in Indian Health Indian casino gaming has substantially improved tribal members income
and in ... Researchers found that, on average, casinos raised household
income by ... Most drastically, a boost in income has decreased the
probability of smoking by 9.6 ... The influence of casinos on American Indian politics culture
and American culture more generally has often been debated. But
a new study finds that, whatever its other effects, gaming has improved
the health (and health care) of Native Americans. The largest percentage
improvements are for smoking (an average decrease of ... The income
produced by casino gaming reduces the probability of heavy ... Hard
Rock Officials Celebrate Milestone Bowen, D.J.; Henderson, P.N.; Harvill, J.; Buchwald, D., "Short-term effects of a smoking prevention website in American Indian youth," Journal of Medical Internet Research 14(3): e81, 2012. ...These data indicate that SmokingZine needs more long-term, rigorous investigation as a way to keep American Indian youth from becoming regular smokers. Because the intervention group could use computers only 1 hour per day, increasing access might result in more visits and a greater effect of the website on smoking behaviors. RuYi's
Asian food a sure bet at Potawatomi casino New
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino tower topped off Cherokee Nation, Cherokee Nation Entertainment and Flintco officials celebrated the topping out of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa’s new 10-story tower on Monday. .. The expansion also provides options for those seeking a non-smoking gaming and hospitality experience, with a smoke-free casino floor and hotel rooms. … Gaming
convention gives tribe new tools ... The National Indian Gaming Association conference and trade show is loaded with the flashing lights of the most notorious of casino attractions: the slot machine. … There are money management firms, a company that sells Native American cigarettes called "Smokin' Joes" and a nonprofit organization that's looking to convince the Indian casino industry to kick the habit in its gambling halls, trying to add to 19 states with smoke-free casinos. "Young adults have grown up in smoke-free states; it's now the social norm," said Cynthia Hallett, executive director of American Nonsmokers Rights Foundation. "I think smoke-free is definitely the trend." Dennis, M.K.; Momper, S.L., "'It's bad around here now': tobacco, alcohol and other drug use among American Indians living on a rural reservation," Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse 11(2): 130-148, April 2012. Using data about members of a midwestern American Indian reservation in eight focus groups that were conducted like "talking circles," the authors describe the participants' (N = 49) views of the current use and abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Results indicate that the use of tobacco is pervasive; that the use of alcohol and other drugs, especially marijuana and oxycodone, are problems on this reservation because they are detrimental to health and well-being; and appropriate, available, and accessible treatment is scarce, nonexistent, or underfunded. Culturally sensitive substance abuse treatment and increased funding for treatment are major health issues for this population. Native
American inmates challenging tobacco ban It's traditionally mixed with other botanicals in pipes and smoked to bring peace and ... and prison officials stopped short of banning the use of pipes. … Ifs,
ands and butts Expect smoking at the proposed Kewadin Lansing casino. Banning it would
have been a deal killer. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
would have felt singled out and at a disadvantage with the only smoke-free
casino in Michigan, those close to the negotiations said. … But
at least one nationwide group has launched an effort to get all casinos
tribal and commercial to go smoke-free. Cynthia Hallett,
executive director of Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, said that
the “general common sense argument is: All workers deserve a smoke-free
place.” The Bernero administration projects 1,500 permanent jobs
will stem from the casino, if it happens. Hallett disputes claims that
being smoke-free would deter potential visitors. “Weather and the
price of gas is what is deterring them from going to the casino,”
she said, adding a bad economy to the list. 3/28/12
Radio Show Wednesday, March 28 - This weeks guests are Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, Cynthia Hallett, executive director of Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights, and Roger Martin and Martin Waymire of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe to discuss smoking in the pending Kewadin casino; Jonas Greenberg, co-star of the play "Next Fall"; and Jamie McAloon-Lampman, executive director of the Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter, on the 6th annual Humanitarian Awards. … South
Dakota inmate group wants tobacco ban lifted Local
Tobacco-Free Parks policies proving effective Chippewa County, Mich. In recognition of Kick Butts Day on March 21, the Chippewa County Health Department, the Sault Tribe Community Transformation Gant Project, and the Sault Tribe Community Health Program, partners of the Chippewa County Tobacco-Free Living Coalition are teaming up to highlight tobacco-free parks policies in Chippewa County and the Sault Tribe seven county service area. ... Lansing
casino would be exempt from state smoking ban By Angela Wittrock | awittroc@mlive.com J. SCOTT PARK | MLive Media Group The Kewadin Lansing casino would be attached to the Lansing Center. … In addition to offering on-site gaming beyond the lottery games currently placed in bars, the tribally-owned casino would be exempt from Michigan's smoking ban, making it the only facility in the city where one could have a cigarette with their drink. … Timberlake, D.S.; Wu, J.; Al-Delaimy, W.K., "Tribal casinos in California: the last vestige of indoor smoking," BMC Public Health 12:144, February 25, 2012. Background High levels of airborne particles from secondhand smoke have been reported in California Indian casinos. Yet, little is known regarding the smoking status of casino patrons, their avoidance of secondhand smoke while visiting, and their views on a hypothetical smoking ban. . . . Results Ethnic minorities, older individuals, current smokers and residents of sparsely populated regions of California were more likely than other demographic groups to visit a tribal casino. Avoidance of secondhand smoke was more frequent among the never smokers than former and current smokers, particularly those who last visited a casino lacking physical separation between non-smoking and smoking sections. The never smokers versus current smokers disproportionately expressed a willingness to extend their stay and visit again if smoking were prohibited. Conclusions If casinos became smoke free, then it is anticipated that they would be visited by a significantly larger number of Californians, including both patrons and those who otherwise would not have visited a casino. Satter, D.E.; Roby, D.H.; Smith, L.M.; Avendano, K.K.; Kaslow, J.; Wallace, S.P., "Costs of smoking and policy strategies for California American Indian communities," Journal of Cancer Education [Epub ahead of print], February 21, 2012. This paper discussed the dire health impacts of commercial tobacco use in California Native American communities and the tobacco policies necessary to reduce the burden on the community. Tobacco use is directly lined to or exacerbates diabetes, cancer and heart disease, diseases which plague the population. Nationally, Native Americans have the highest smoking rates (32.4%) compared to non-Latino African Americans at 23% and non-Latino whites at 21.9% [28]. Statistics for were given for use among age groups, secondhand some exposure among those with asthma, cancer rates and costs, etc. The authors maintained that commercial tobacco must be viewed separately from ceremonial tobacco. Sawchuk, C.N.; Roy-Byrne, P.; Noonan, C.; Bogart, A.; Goldberg, J.; Manson, S.M.; Buchwald, D., "Smokeless tobacco use and its relation to panic disorder, major depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder in American Indians," Nicotine and Tobacco Research [Epub ahead of print], February 17, 2012. This study examined whether panic disorder, major depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are related to lifetime smokeless tobacco (ST) use in Northern Plains and Southwest Native Americans. Odds of lifetime ST use was 1.6 times higher in Northern Plains members with a lifetime history of PTSD after controlling for sociodemographic variables and cigarette use (95% CI: 1.1, 2.3; p = .01). This association was still persistent after further adjustment for panic disorder and major depression, but was diminished after taking into account alcohol use. In the Southwest tribal members, lifetime psychiatric disorders were not associated with lifetime ST use. Increasing psychiatric comorbidity was significantly linked to increased odds of ST use in both tribes. While about 30 percent of tribal members were lifetime users of ST, the association with lifetime psychiatric disorders was not as strong as among cigarette users. Gambling
Addicts Aren't Necessarily Smoking Addicts ...There are only two smoke-free Indian casinos in California, says Cynthia Hallett, ... The research suggests that if casinos were made smoke-free, ... San
Pasqual Tribe Sets New Gaming Lending Standard The San Diego County Tribe closed today on a refinancing of its $215 million ... well as a complete non-smoking casino in addition to the main casino floor. ... Tobacco
prevention program reaches 5,000th student The Cherokee Nation set a milestone by reaching the 5,000th area student
to take part in the tribe's school-based tobacco prevention program.
It happened during a tobacco prevention presentation held recently at
Dewey Middle School. ... Smoke
alarm: No noticeable decrease in American Indian smoking Smokers across the country are kicking the habit. But in Indian country
in New Mexico, health officials are not finding any evidence of a decrease
in adult smoking rates. And ... Back
to the chairman system? Alaska Native Tribal Leaders Speak Out Anchorage, AK -- Tribal leaders unanimously passed a resolution to support Alaska smokefree workplaces at this October’s Annual Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Convention. The resolution sends a clear message that it is essential to protect the health and well being of Alaska Native people and others from the dangers of secondhand smoke.
Alaska
Native tribal leaders speak out against smoking Navajo
ban on smoking in public places fails FLAGSTAFF - Smoking is still legal on the vast Navajo reservation after
tribal lawmakers failed to override a presidential veto of a bill that
would have banned it in public places, with the exception of casinos.
... Smokers
still free to light up on Navajo Nation Navajo
lawmakers consider overturning presidential veto of smoking ... Navajo Nation lawmakers are considering a bill Friday to overturn a
presidential veto of a smoking ban that exempts tribal casinos. ... Shelly
vetoes smoking ban, cites protection Navajo
President Vetoes Bill to Exempt Gaming Houses from Smoking Ban Morning
Call: Navajo leader backs off casino smoking ban Navajo
casinos exempt under smoking ban Navajo
lawmakers take up smoking ban measure Navajo lawmakers are revisiting a smoking ban on the reservation with
a bill that would exempt tribal casinos at least until their financing
debts are paid off. ... By Bill Donovan Navajo Times, July 14, 2011 Bob Winter, CEO of the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, said he is planning to be in Window Rock next week when the Navajo Nation Council holds its summer session to air the enterprise's concern about a smoking ban at the casinos. … Casinos not included in smoking ban bill By Noel Lyn Smith Navajo Times, July 14, 2011 A new bill that would allow smoking to continue in Navajo gaming facilities while prohibiting its use elsewhere is making its way to the Navajo Nation Council. The Smoke-Free Navajo Nation Act of 2011 would allow smoking at casinos until the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise pays back the money it owes the tribe and the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority for casino construction loans and new infrastructure to serve them. … Navajo
Nation President Receives Honorary Doctorate and Public Health Award
Satter, D.E.; Roby, D.H.; Smith, L.M.; Wallace, S.P., "Costs of smoking and secondhand smoke exposure in California American Indian communities (anniversary report)," Los Angeles, CA: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, October 2010. This report examines both the health and economic costs of commercial
tobacco use and secondhand smoke inhalation in the American Indian and
Alaska Native communities in California. The authors estimate the cost
of smoking — in health care and lost productivity — totals
nearly 800 million dollars a year. It provides detailed breakdowns of
productivity losses, as well as costs per individual and by specific
health condition, of commercial tobacco use. The authors also describe
complicating factors, such as confusion over the role of traditional
tobacco use or “sacred smoking,” and offers practical guidance
and resources to tribes and American Indian communities seeking to implement
tobacco-control and prevention activities in culturally-appropriate
ways. ...
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Day, S.; Ortiz, Y.; Scott, S., "