Tobacco

Overview

Traditional tobacco Commercial tobaccoSmokeless tobacco

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Traditional TobaccoStories

Many indigenous nations have traditional stories of how tobacco was introduced to their communities.Many stories emphasized the sacredness of the plant and its powers to both heal if used properly and to harm us if used improperly!Some say that the original tobacco was discovered about 18,000 years ago.

Traditional TobaccoUses

Tobacco was used by our Medicine People for both healing and blessings.Used as a smudge… to ward off pests when the people went out to hunt and gather (the original version of “OFF”) because it contains nicotine, a natural pesticide.Given as a gift when welcoming guests to the community & as an offering to those requested to pray or share their wisdom. 4

Traditional Vs. CommercialTobacco

TRADITIONAL COMMERCIAL

Smoked in a pipe for ceremonial purposesUsed as an offering to a healer, elder or other person as a sign of respect or thanks Medicinal tobacco was often used as a painkiller

Deliberate targeting of specific consumer groups Premeditated and conscious addition of chemicals that lead to addiction Scarcely contains actual tobacco

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Commercial TobaccoContents

4000 Chemicals40 Cancer causing agents500 Poisons

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NicotinePoisonousMore addictive than cocaine and heroineSo powerful that farmers can’t use it to kill insects Legal addictionUse results in emotional dependence Mood leveler Users rely on it to control emotional

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Carbon MonoxideThe compound in car exhaust that causes death Causes shortness of breathReduces the amount of oxygen blood can carry

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TarSticky Residue that stains the fingers and teeth.Contains benzopyrene, one of the deadliest cancer causing agents known.

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ChemicalsAcetone: fingernail polish removerAmmonia: floor/toilet cleanerCadmium: batteriesArsenic: rat poisonMethane: cow manure fumesFormaldehyde: preserver of dead bodies

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MetalsAluminumMagnesiumZincSiliconTitanium

SilverLeadCopperMercuryHeavy metals

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NicotineHard Habit to Quit

On a milligram for milligram basis, is 10 timesmore potent than heroin as an addictive substanceSmoking is an over-learned behaviorPack/day smoker estimates 6 doses (puffs)/cigarette 20 cigarettes per day = 43,800 doses per year!

Few behaviors occur more often. . . Breathing Blinking

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NicotineHard Habit to Quit

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TobaccoHealth Effects

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TobaccoHealth Effects

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TobaccoFacts & Stats

40% of all AN/AN deaths can be attributed to commercial tobacco use50% of AI/AN teens reported some type of cigarette use (highest rate in the nation, out of all ethnic populations and age groups)21% of AI/AN teens reported using smokeless tobaccoTeens are 3 times more likely to smoke if parent or sibling smokes

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TobaccoFacts & Stats

AI/AN’s 40.8%African Americans22.4%Whites23.6%Hispanics 16.7%Asian American/ 13.3% Pacific Islanders

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TobaccoFacts & Stats

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Smoking Prevalence

Asian AmericanHispanicWhiteAI/AN

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When You Quit…Within 10 Years: Lung cancer death rate is similar to

that of a person who does not smoke. The pre-cancerous cells are replaced.

Within 15 Years: Risk of coronary heart disease is the

same as a person who has never smoked.

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Thank you!

QuestionsComments

Stories

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