The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has maintained a smoke-free policy at its two casinos since May 2020 with excellent results. Now, enrolled tribal members are pushing tribal council to formally enshrine this ban into law, recognizing the benefits this change has brought to their gaming facilities.
Sean Brown grew up on an Oklahoma Seminole reservation surrounded by tobacco. At nine, he chain-smoked his mother's cigarettes with a friend. Yet for Brown and many American Indians, tobacco holds sacred significance beyond addiction—a cultural tradition now entangled with modern health crises and commercial exploitation.
A CDC study reveals that nearly half of adults using THC-containing vaping products after the EVALI outbreak reported daily or weekly use. Despite health risks, users obtained products from informal and formal sources. States with legalized marijuana showed higher rates of commercial access and daily use, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and risk education.
Groundbreaking research from Truth Initiative reveals a text message quit program boosted e-cigarette cessation rates by nearly 40% among young adults. This Is Quitting, designed specifically for ages 18-24, has already enrolled over 325,000 users with free, anonymous support including behavioral strategies and peer encouragement.
Discover how stigma and shame impact tobacco use and mental health treatment. Join experts from UCSF and UT Austin on May 27 for an essential masterclass exploring bias, health disparities, and practical strategies to reduce stigma within healthcare systems and communities. Register today for this transformative three-hour discussion.
Colorectal cancer screening now starts at age 45, down from 50. Early detection is crucial—colon cancer has no early symptoms but is preventable through screening. Native Americans face disproportionately higher rates, yet early detection catches precancerous polyps, resulting in 90% five-year survival rates versus 12% for late-stage diagnoses. Contact your provider today to schedule screening.
The USPSTF has released its final colorectal cancer screening recommendation in JAMA. The comprehensive package includes an evidence summary detailing reviewed studies, a modeling study explaining the analysis methodology, and a clinician summary for practical implementation. Share these resources with colleagues and explore other Task Force recommendations by subscribing to their email list.
Nearly 100 community members united over May 7th and 8th to revitalize Wrangell's cherished attractions and green spaces. This collaborative effort—involving city staff, volunteers, and Evergreen Elementary students—collected over 1,500 cigarette butts while teaching youth about environmental stewardship and personal accountability. Together, they demonstrated that many hands truly do make light work.
Discover how one Tribal elder advocates for smokefree living in her Wisconsin community. Virginia Chosa shares powerful insights about health, tradition, and family in multi-unit tribal housing, offering inspiration for smokefree initiatives on reservations nationwide.
Cigarette smoking accounts for 11.7% of U.S. healthcare spending—over $225 billion annually in 2014. Medicare and Medicaid covered more than half these costs, with Medicaid's burden rising 30% from 2010-2014. This substantial economic impact underscores the critical need for proven population-based smoking reduction interventions.
Attending any of these upcoming events? Have other events to share? Let us know! Email us at NNN@ITCMI.ORG to share your event information or to get on our list serve for event updates.
National Tribal Tobacco Conference | June 23, 2026 | Minneapolis, MN | LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
National Conference on Tobacco or Health (NCTOH) | San Diego, California | Registration will open July 7, 2026 | Abstract Submissions will open on August 4 | LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
