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

摘要

ABSTRACT American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have the highest prevalence of commercial smoking among all U.S. racial/ethnic groups and high rates of smoking-related morbidity and mortality. To achieve reducing commercial tobacco use, reclaiming traditional tobacco use, and heath equity for AI/AN communities, the National Tribal Tobacco Conference (hybrid) is being proposed to be held in May 2022 with an anticipated audience size of 150 persons. AI/AN public health professionals, community stakeholders and allies will come together virtually or in person in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the University of Minnesota for the 2-day conference to accomplish these aims: 1) Share cutting- edge and existing, best-practice, approaches and policy efforts to reduce commercial tobacco use among AI/ANs, 2) Learn how traditional tobacco can be integrated into the fight against commercial tobacco use, and 3) Foster new collaborations to reclaim and restore traditional tobacco and combat commercial tobacco use. The conference will emphasize the respect and preservation of traditional tobacco represented in the Conference’s theme “Reclaiming and Restoring Traditional Tobacco in Today’s World.” A Steering Committee of AIAN public health professionals and allies have meet biweekly to coordinate and have planned a 2-hour mini conference (prelude) to be held virtually in October 2021 to promote the national conference and to gather feedback from attendees on the agenda. This conference is long overdue with the last national level conference dedicated to this topic occurring 15 years ago. The National Tribal Tobacco Conference will provide the opportunity to foster new collaborations, network and rebuild commercial tobacco strategies, preserve traditional tobacco, and lead new novel ways to reduce commercial tobacco use with prevention, education, cessation, and policy efforts to create healthier AIAN communities.