Advancing smoke-free policy adoption on the Navajo Nation

BackgroundComprehensive smoke-free laws are effective at protecting non-smokers and reducing tobacco use, yet they are not widely adopted by tribal governments.MethodsA series of smoke-free policy initiatives on the Navajo Nation, beginning in 2008, were reviewed to identify key issues, successes an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Tobacco control Vol. 25; no. Suppl 1; pp. i26 - i31
Main Authors:	Nez Henderson, Patricia, Roeseler, April, Moor, Gregg, Clark, Hershel W, Yazzie, Alfred, Nez, Priscilla, Nez, Chantal, Sabo, Samantha, Leischow, Scott J
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01-10-2016 BMJ Publishing Group
Subjects:	Bans Business law Casinos Community Councils Cultural Characteristics Economic development Gambling Humans Indians, North American Legislation Medicinal plants Mortality Native North Americans No-smoking policies Outdoor air quality Parks & recreation areas Population Presidents Public health Religion Research Paper Restaurants Rites & ceremonies Shelly, Ben Smoke Smoke-Free Policy - legislation & jurisprudence Smoking Smoking - legislation & jurisprudence Smoking Prevention - legislation & jurisprudence Tobacco Tobacco smoke Tobacco Smoke Pollution - legislation & jurisprudence Tobacco Smoke Pollution - prevention & control California New Mexico United States > US Arizona Utah Secondhand smoke Priority/special populations Disparities Public policy
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Summary:	BackgroundComprehensive smoke-free laws are effective at protecting non-smokers and reducing tobacco use, yet they are not widely adopted by tribal governments.MethodsA series of smoke-free policy initiatives on the Navajo Nation, beginning in 2008, were reviewed to identify key issues, successes and setbacks.ResultsIt has been essential that proposed policies acknowledge the Navajo people's spiritual use of nát'oh, a sacred plant used for gift-giving, medicinal purposes and traditional ceremonies, while simultaneously discouraging a secular use of commercial tobacco. Concern that smoke-free policies economically harm tribal casinos has been a major barrier to broad implementation of comprehensive smoke-free laws in Navajo Nation.ConclusionsIt is necessary for tobacco control researchers and advocates to build relationships with tribal leaders and casino management in order to develop the business case that will take comprehensive smoke-free policies to scale throughout tribal lands.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0964-4563 1468-3318
DOI:	10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2016-053109