Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110618

Jennifer B. Unger, PhD¹, Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati, PhD², and Claradina Soto, BA². (1) Keck School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, 1000 South Fremont, Unit 8, Room 5219, Alhambra, CA 91803, (2) Institute for Prevention Research, University of Southern California, 1000 S. Fremont, Buiding A1, Alhambra, CA 91803, 562-895-7646, Toya@usc.edu

American Indian adolescents have the highest tobacco use prevalence of all ethnic groups in the U.S. and little is known about the modern-day perceptions of tobacco among American Indian adolescents. Method: Five focus groups were conducted at four agencies throughout California that served American Indians. Two hour focus groups were conducted among urban and rural American Indian youths between the ages of 12 and 17 years who self identified as American Indian. Participants were asked about traditional tobacco use at Indian ceremonies, exposure to second hand smoke at tribal events, opinions about commercial tobacco and advertising, beliefs about traditional tobacco being safer than commercial tobacco, and views on smoking in Indian casinos. Result: The findings from this qualitative study provide important preliminary information about the perceptions of sacred and commercial tobacco use among modern-day American Indian adolescents. Results revealed that many American Indian adolescents are introduced to traditional tobacco use at early ages. Commercial cigarettes are often substituted for homegrown tobacco. Traditional tobacco was perceived as less dangerous than commercial tobacco because it does not contain chemical additives. Youth found the use of American Indian imagery in tobacco advertising offensive and stereotypical. Indian casinos were mentioned frequently as places where smoking occurred. Conclusions: Continual efforts are needed to reduce the habitual use of commercial tobacco products and exposure to secondhand smoke among American Indian youth. Further research is needed to identify ways that American Indian youth can participate in their cultural traditions while also minimizing their risk of tobacco-related disease.

Learning Objectives:

• Attendees will be able to describe the role of tobacco in traditional Native cultures and commercial tobacco use among rural and urban American Indian adolescents in California.

Keywords: American Indians, Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.