Native Cigarettes Canada

Smoking is not a Native Cigarettes Canada practice for some First Nations peoples, especially those in communities in British Columbia. However, tobacco has become an important economic enterprise for many First Nations communities. The production and sale of tobacco products can have negative health impacts, including a disproportionately high rate of addiction among Indigenous youth. The use of commercially produced cigarettes is often accompanied by alcohol and other drugs. Health professionals working with these communities need to recognize the value of traditional tobacco, but also the impact that misusing commercially produced tobacco can have on Indigenous families.

Exploring the History and Culture of Native Cigarettes in Canada

The tobacco industry is largely controlled by a small number of First Nations reserves and communities. These reserves have the lowest tobacco taxes in the country, and the tobacco industry has been able to circumvent the federal excise tax by selling cigarettes on reserve without paying the tax. They then sell them illegally to non-Aboriginals off reserve, either in on-reserve smoke shacks or to criminal gangs operating in the cities.

While this is not an ideal situation, it does highlight some of the challenges facing tobacco control initiatives in the country. In order to reduce the consumption of commercially produced cigarettes, it is essential for health professionals to work with these First Nations communities to address issues such as poverty, mental illness, addictions and substance abuse. Ultimately, this will lead to better health outcomes for all Canadians, including Aboriginal peoples.