Resolution on Electronic Smoking Devices and Tobacco Industry Sponsorships

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, NIHB recognizes and affirms the cultural, spiritual, and ceremonial use of traditional tobacco as an integral part of traditional, native life; and

WHEREAS, AI /AN people have the highest rate of commercial tobacco use in the Nation; and

WHEREAS, commercial tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease and AI/AN people suffer serious health consequences including heart disease and cancer; and

WHEREAS, electronic smoking devices (ESDs) are not a proven smoking cessation device but are an alternative nicotine delivery device that will maintain or restore the nicotine habit, can addict a new generation to nicotine, and can pave a way to increased use of conventional cigarettes; and

WHEREAS, nicotine exposure from aerosolized ESD can negatively impact developing fetuses as well as teenage brain development; and

WHEREAS, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ESDs expose users to known carcinogens and toxic chemicals; and

WHEREAS, according to the 2016 U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on e-cigarette use among youth and young adults, ESDs are now the most commonly used form of tobacco by youth in the United States and 85% of ESD users ages 12-17 use flavored products; and

WHEREAS, ESD proponents are deceptively marketing the products to the public—especially to young adults via social media—as a “safe” alternative to smoking and an easy way to quit smoking tobacco cigarettes and entice use with flavors attractive to youth; and