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Big Tobacco Targeting of Tribes

For decades, the commercial tobacco industry targeted American Indians/American Natives with marketing and pricing tactics that resulted in disproportionate rates of tobacco-related chronic disease in these populations. Today e-cigarette companies such as Juul Labs are continuing to target Tribes – particularly Tribal youth – with products that have been associated with vaping-related lung injuries, addiction, and death.

The Public Health Law Center, in partnership with the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Epidemiological Center, Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc., has just released a new publication that provides an overview of the deceptive ways the tobacco and e-cigarette industries have marketed their products to Tribes. The resource includes a sample resolution for Tribes on electronic smoking devices and commercial tobacco industry sponsorships. This resolution is just one tool that Tribes could consider adapting and adopting to address tobacco industry targeting of Tribal Nations with products that could have adverse impact on the health of their people.

Read Addressing Tobacco Industry Targeting of Tribes (2021)