There is no safe level of exposure to commercial tobacco smoke and the damage from commercial tobacco smoke is immediate. The 2014 Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health documented causal associations between smoking and 15 different cancers (i.e. lung, colorectal, cervical, kidney, liver, stomach), heart disease, stroke, COPD, asthma, diabetes, and adverse health outcomes in cancer patients and survivors, among others. Secondhand smoke exposure has been causally associated with lung cancer, heart disease, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), reproductive effects in women (premature birth, low birth weight), and an increased risk for stroke as well.
Commercial tobacco is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act,4 though the Act does not apply to cigars, little cigars, hookah, or pipe tobacco, or electronic nicotine devices. The FDA is currently in the process of establishing regulations over these commercial tobacco products, including advertising and promotion.5
Manufacturers have designed commercial tobacco products to be more attractive and addictive. Commercial tobacco companies have targeted American Indians and Alaska Natives in marketing, sponsoring events and giveaways, devising promotional strategies, and misappropriating cultural imagery and concepts.6,7
A disproportionate percentage of American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) use commercial tobacco compared to other ethnic groups in the United States. In 2014, the CDC reported that 26.1% of all AI/AN adults were cigarette smokers. This rate is compared to 19.4% for whites, 18.3% for African Americans, 12.1% for Hispanics and 9.6% for Asians. AI/AN adults also have the highest usage rate for smokeless tobacco and cigars, and for the use of multiple tobacco products.
Based on region, commercial tobacco abuse prevalence among AI/AN varies, with the Southwest being lower and the Northern Plains being much higher. Smoking prevalence rates have been documented within certain Tribes as being greater than 70% using the American Indian Adult Tobacco Survey, which was developed by the CDC and Tribes to improve the quality of data collection among AI/AN populations who are underrepresented in national surveys. Tribe-specific data also documents smoking initiation beginning before age eight and regular smoking beginning during the tween and teen years.
In some communities, commercial tobacco may be erroneously used in place of traditional tobacco for ceremonies. However, traditional and commercial tobacco differ in the way that they are planted and grown, harvested, prepared, and used. Commercial tobacco use prevention and cessation outreach among American Indians and Alaska Natives should be informed by and tailored to the Tribal community’s culture.
TOBACCO ABUSE IMPACT
High commercial tobacco use rates among American Indians and Alaska Natives are directly reflected in the disproportionate rates of chronic diseases in AI/AN populations, where six of the top eight causes of death are linked to smoking. The leading cause of cancer death among American Indian and American Native populations is lung cancer.
AI/AN also suffer from much higher rates of asthma than any other ethnic group. The incidence of asthma among AI/AN children is 20% higher than any other ethnic group and AI/AN adults are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with the condition compared to adults in other ethnic groups.
There is no safe level of exposure to commercial tobacco smoke, and the damage from commercial tobacco smoke is immediate. Commercial tobacco abuse prevention and cessation are vital for American Indian and Alaska Native health and well-being.
Commercial Tobacco Resources
Loading...
Reload document 
Open in new tab 
