Indianz.Com > News > Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation addresses tobacco addiction

🟢Live: Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. signs a proclamation designating today, May 31, 2024, as World No Tobacco Day in the Cherokee Nation. Tobacco use remains one of the leading preventable causes of death for citizens of the Cherokee Nation. As many as 24 percent of Cherokee citizens in counties within our reservation are considered to use tobacco and smoke cigarettes and as many as 5 percent of Cherokees ages 18-34 will use vaping products according to our Cherokee Nation Public Health. To combat these issues the Cherokee Nation is dedicating $2.8 million into a Smoking Cessation Fund to boost public health smoking cessation programs, doubling the funding of those programs. Cherokee Nation has launched the “Keep it Traditional” campaign to raise awareness and reduce tobacco use, including smoking, dipping, and vaping, through a series of innovative programs and increased support for those on the road to quitting. #WorldNoTobaccoDay #TobaccoExposed #BreakTheHabit #KeepItTraditional

Posted by Cherokee Nation on Friday, May 31, 2024
Cherokee Nation: World No Tobacco Day
Cherokee Nation’s New Steps to Curb Tobacco Dependence
Monday, June 3, 2024
By Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.
Cherokee Nation
cherokee.org

On May 31, World No Tobacco Day, Cherokee Nation unveiled our latest initiative in the ongoing fight against tobacco use among tribal citizens. Cherokee people have always looked out for each other’s well-being, and this new traditional and social media campaign continues that commitment.

The “Keep It Traditional” campaign is designed to reduce tobacco use, including smoking, dipping and vaping, through a series of innovative programs and increased support for those on the road to quitting. While tobacco has held a traditional role among the Cherokee people for centuries, our goal is to ensure it is used appropriately and healthfully.

The statistics highlight the urgent need for this renewed effort. Nationally, smoking rates have declined from 40 percent in the 1960s to 12.5 percent in 2020, yet in Oklahoma, the rate remains much higher at 18.5 percent. Within the Cherokee Nation, smoking prevalence is even more alarming, with Adair County at 24 percent, Cherokee County at 23 percent, and Craig and Mayes counties at 22 percent. Additionally, we are seeing vape sales on the rise, particularly among younger citizens.

Tobacco use remains one of the leading preventable causes of death for citizens of the Cherokee Nation. That’s why there is a need to help reduce the harm to our tribal citizens that smoke cigarettes and use e-cigarette vaping. Cherokee Nation Public Health offers free classes to help you achieve your goal to quit tobacco. This eight-week class is offered in-person and virtually and is open to all Cherokee Nation citizens and the public to assist in their journey to a #TobaccoFreeLife. 🔗 Visit our website to learn more or to sign up: https://www.cherokeepublichealth.org/tiles/index/display?id=323598989132367830 #WorldNoTobaccoDay #TobaccoExposed #KeepItTraditional

Posted by Cherokee Nation on Friday, May 31, 2024

To combat these issues, we are dedicating funds from the Public Health and Wellness Act and the tribe’s almost $2 million e-cigarette settlement to double annual budgets for tobacco cessation programs. The planned efforts include tripling the financial incentive for tribal employees to complete smoking cessation classes; a public health phone app designed for teens; and the employment of a full-time Tobacco Prevention Program coordinator.

Our public health team is actively developing new and creative ideas to provide accessible and culturally appropriate resources for citizens to quit smoking and vaping. Working together alongside Deputy Chief Bryan Warner and the Council of the Cherokee Nation, we are steadfast in promoting holistic wellness for our Cherokee Nation citizens. The goal is not only to reduce the prevalence of dipping, smoking and vaping, but to help Cherokees improve in every aspect of their health. We are combining respect for traditional practices with a modern understanding of wellness.

Cherokee National Treasure Tommy Wildcat #QuitSmoking and is now more than 18 months #TobaccoFree. In this video, he encourages others who are ready to quit and start their journey to a #TobaccoFreeLife. Visit the Cherokee Nation Public Health website to get started: https://loom.ly/tJTcLZU #WorldNoTobaccoDay #TobaccoExposed #KeepItTraditional

Posted by Cherokee Nation on Friday, May 31, 2024

The “Keep It Traditional” campaign includes outreach programs and educational resources at health centers across the 14-county reservation and at Cherokee community events nationwide.

It is a blessing to help Cherokees overcome tobacco addiction. Together, we are improving the spiritual, mental and physical health of Cherokee Nation citizens of all ages.

Chuck Hoskin Jr
Chuck Hoskin Jr. is the 18th elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest Indian tribe in the United States. He is only the second elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from Vinita, the first being Thomas Buffington, who served from 1899-1903. Prior to being elected Principal Chief, Hoskin served as the tribe’s Secretary of State. He also formerly served as a member of the Council of the Cherokee Nation, representing District 11 for six years.
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