The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #60040

Felicia S. Hodge, DrPH, Center for American Indian Research and Education, University of Minnesota, 6-125B Weaver-Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street, Minneapolis, MN 55455, 612-624-6956, hodge029@umn.edu, Betty A. Geishirt Cantrell, MSSW, MBA, Center for American Indian Research & Education, University of Minnesota, 1918 University Avenue, Suite 3-A, Berkeley, CA 94704, Roxanne Struthers, PhD, RN, School of Nursing, University Of Minnesota, 6-113 Weaver-Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street, Minneapolis, MN 55455, and John Casken, MPH, PhD, School of Public Health, University of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822-2319.

Fifty-two websites selling Native-brand cigarettes were examined. Documented were: 1) the website; 2) tribal affiliation; 3) cigarette brand and tobacco products and brands; 4) price listing; 5) sales restrictions; and 6) evidence of the Surgeon General’s warning on tobacco use. Study findings documented the changing pattern of smoking sales and points of purchase in Indian country. The convenience of purchasing cigarettes on the Internet for a little more than a fifth of the price of grocery store cigarettes is further enhanced by the anonymity of receiving brown paper wrapped cigarette cartons in the mail. Purchasing Native-brand cigarettes is attractive and compelling to someone addicted to nicotine and wanting to circumvent the high price of cigarettes. These Native-brand cigarettes also appeal to ethnic pride and give a perception of supporting the financial welfare of the tribe. Given that Indian smoking rates are more than double, and in some cases triple, that of the general population, new and more convenient sources of cigarette points of purchase are harmful to the welfare of the tribe. Also, as few restrictions are employed to prohibit youth from purchasing Internet cigarettes protecting the health and well being of Indian adolescents is undermined. An ethical dilemma is presented as the sale of cigarettes online also generates millions of dollars of income for tribal entities and individual owners of websites. This income is greatly needed by poverty-stricken reservations and Indian businesses. However, the sale of cigarettes to Indian communities with an already exorbitant smoking rate is counter-productive.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of the presentation, participants will understand how cigarettes sales are shifting from smoke shops and small town markets to easily accessible and colorful websites on the Internet. Participants will understand how this shift has meant that access to cigarette and tobacco products has been made more convenient, low-priced, and more attractive; how Native-brand cigarettes are colorful and eye-catching, as well as appealing to ethnic pride; and how cigarette sales are a sizeable source of income for tribes and Indian entrepreneurs.

Keywords: American Indians, Tobacco Control

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: University of Minnesota
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employed by University of Minnesota