May 31, 2025
American Indian Cancer Foundation Celebrates Keep Tobacco Sacred Day: Honoring the Sacred, Confronting the Harmful
On May 31, as the global health community observes World No Tobacco Day, the American Indian Cancer Foundation (AICAF) invites everyone to join in a different but deeply meaningful observance—Keep Tobacco Sacred Day. Under the theme “Our World Will Never Be Tobacco Free,” AICAF seeks to shift the narrative toward Keep Tobacco Sacred Day, recognizing the spiritual and cultural significance of tobacco for American Indian and Alaskan Native people.
For many Native communities, tobacco is far more than a plant—it is a sacred medicine and a gift from the Creator, used inceremonies, prayers, and offerings. This traditional use stands in stark contrast to the harmful effects of commercial tobaccoproducts, which have been aggressively marketed to Indigenous populations, contributing to devastating health disparities.
As highlighted in the article Decolonization of Tobacco in Indigenous Communities by Nez Henderson and colleagues, “Commercialtobacco and its derivatives represent a threat to physical health, spiritual health, and well-being for Indigenous Peoples of TurtleIsland.” This reality is reflected in troubling statistics: American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest smoking rates among allracial and ethnic groups in the U.S. at 14.1%, compared to 12.0% among White populations (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids).
The overuse and misuse of commercial tobacco in Native communities is a direct outcome of colonization, historical trauma, andtargeted advertising by the tobacco industry. Keep Tobacco Sacred Day is a call to action to reclaim the original, sacred meaning oftobacco and to reduce the health burdens imposed by commercial tobacco use.
This day is about more than health—it’s about cultural preservation, community healing, and sovereignty. By honoring traditionaltobacco practices and rejecting harmful commercial products, Indigenous communities are taking powerful steps toward well-beingand self-determination.
AICAF encourages all individuals, to stand in solidarity with this movement—one that protects tradition, promotes health, and keepstobacco sacred.
- Our World Will Never Be Tobacco Free, on May 31st, let’s shift the narrative of World No Tobacco Day to Keep Tobacco SacredDay honoring the many tribes who use tobacco in a cultural and spiritual way.
- On Keep Tobacco Sacred Day, we honor the deep cultural and spiritual relationship of tobacco in Native communities as asacred medicine and gift from the Creator.
- “Commercial tobacco and it’s derivatives represent a threat to physical health, spiritual health, and well-being for IndigenousPeoples of Turtle Island.” Article (Nez Henderson, et. Al Decolonization of Tobacco in Indigenous Communities).
- American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest smoking rates among all racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. at 14.1%compared to Whites at 12.0%. (Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids).
- Commercial tobacco use disproportionately impacts Indigenous communities due to colonization, historical trauma andtargeted marketing.
Keep Tobacco Sacred Day focuses on Indigenous traditions, cultural preservation and advancing public health in reducingcommercial tobacco use and honoring the original intention of tobacco.