National Tribal Tobacco Conference: Reclaiming and Restoring Traditional Tobacco in Today's World

PROJECT NARRATIVE Although many American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes have historically used tobacco for spiritual purposes (i.e., traditional tobacco), the use of commercially produced tobacco has risen dramatically among AI/ANs and as a result AI/AN have high rates of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. Organized efforts are needed to bring AI/AN public health professionals, community stakeholders and allies together to prevent the tragic burden caused by commercial tobacco use among AI/ANs from continuing. The 2-day National Tribal Tobacco Conference will fight commercial tobacco with traditional tobacco and through dissemination of best practices and fostering of new partnerships and therefore has great potential to contribute to reducing the grave individual, community, and societal burdens of commercial tobacco among AI/ANs.