Resolution on contracting with event venues that allow for commercial tobacco smoking in common areas

WHEREAS, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), established in 1972, serves all Federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal governments by advocating for the improvement of health care delivery to AI/ANs, as well as upholding the Federal government’s trust responsibility to AI/AN Tribal governments; and

WHEREAS, traditional tobacco is a sacred component to many Indigenous ceremonies, while commercial tobacco serves no purpose other than bringing harm to the lungs, heart, skin, mouth, and other parts of the body, causing over 480,000 deaths a year in the United States¹ ; and

WHEREAS, approximately 4 in 10 American Indians/Alaska Natives used commercial tobacco products in 2016² ; and

WHEREAS, a growing health advocacy movement led by American Indian/Alaska Native community members, “Air is Life,” has called for Tribal governments to ban commercial tobacco product use in communal spaces and in Tribally owned or operated facilities, seeing success with the Navajo Nation’s enactment of the “Air is Life Act of 2021³ ”; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the temporary closure of gaming facilities, hotels, conference centers, and other commercial buildings in Indian Country; and

WHEREAS, Tribes in 25 states used the temporary closure of these facilities to renovate common spaces, removing residue from consistent exposure to second and third hand tobacco smoke, and to make at least 157 of these facilities smokefree upon reopening⁴ ; and

WHEREAS, in 2019 the National Indian Health Board adopted a resolution forbidding the organization from soliciting or accepting commercial tobacco and electronic smoking device funding, sponsorships, or partnerships; and

• “Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• “American Indians/Alaska Natives and Tobacco Use.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• “Air is Life Act of 2021 passed by Navajo Nation Council, Praised by Health Advocates.” Navajo Nation Council
• “Smokefree Casino & Gaming Property Directory.” ANR Foundation.