Native Cigarettes are a great way to support Indigenous communities. They are made using tobacco grown by Indigenous nations around North America, which helps to support their economies. They also provide a safer alternative to commercial cigarettes, which are contaminated with harmful chemicals that can cause diseases and death.

For decades, cigarette manufacturers have targeted American Indians and Alaska Natives through marketing tactics including advertising, point-of-sale displays, direct mail, and email marketing. As a result, American Indians/Alaska Natives have one of the highest rates of tobacco use among all racial/ethnic groups in the United States.

Honoring Tradition: The Appeal of Native Cigarettes

While some tribes have opted to work with outside companies, others have chosen to produce their own brands. For example, the St. Regis Mohawk reservation in the North Country, and the Seneca Nation in western New York, each have cigarette manufacturing plants. On the Seneca reservation, white placards bearing the names Buffalo, Gator, and Senate cigarettes dot the roads.

While smoking is still a prevalent issue in Native communities, there are signs of hope. Some tribes have passed anti-smoking initiatives, such as banning indoor smoking in government buildings. A movement is underway to help Native people give up their unhealthy habits while retaining sacred traditional tobacco for ceremonies and prayers. But a large part of the solution will depend on making tobacco less affordable to those who choose to smoke, says Kristine Rhodes, an enrolled member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa tribe and director of the American Indian Cancer Foundation. “Price matters for both those who may be considering starting to smoke and those already hooked on nicotine,” she says.