Native Cigarettes and the Tobacco Industry
Native Cigarettes are a type of tobacco that is made by Indigenous communities in North America. The tobacco used for these cigarettes is grown without the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides, which makes them a healthier option for smokers. Additionally, the fact that these cigarettes do not contain any additives means that they offer a purer smoking experience than traditional brands.Source:https://nativecigarettes.com/
Despite the lower smoking rates found amongst Indigenous people, the cigarette industry still remains an important source of revenue for many tribal nations. For example, the Oneida cigarette factory employs around 1,000 people in western New York, and the St. Regis Mohawk reservation also has a cigarette production operation. Moreover, many commercial tobacco companies have historically targeted American Indians and Alaska Natives through marketing campaigns featuring romanticized images of the tribes and depicting their sacred traditional tobacco use as a natural and spiritual experience. This advertising has misappropriated indigenous culture and reinforced negative stereotypes of the population.
Indigenous Smoking Practices: Insights into Native Cigarettes
As a result, some tribal members have reported resentment toward the prosperity of their tobacco-business neighbours. This is particularly true of people who are not in the tobacco business themselves, and who may find themselves in positions where they have to compete with their fellow workers for jobs. The resulting tension has sometimes led to family conflicts and even broken relationships. However, a few people interviewed for this article have found that the success of the tobacco industry has helped them to break out of poverty and provide a better lifestyle for their families.