Why should we limit smoking on tribal lands?

• Secondhand smoke is a health hazard that costs US citizens nearly $10 billion per year.
• We all have a right to breathe clean air.
• We need to protect those especially vulnerable to secondhand smoke, such as pregnant women, children, and elderly.
• A tribal resolution and ordinance limiting smoking in and around tribal buildings and casinos will not impact tribal revenue; Studies examining revenues and patronage of bars and restaurants have found that fears of lost profits after smoke-free ordinances are not scientifically supported.
• Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of preventable disease, illness, and death and is directly linked to lung cancer and heart disease in adults.
• Children who breathe secondhand smoke are more likely to experience ear infections, decreased lung capacity, decreased cognitive function, experience more frequent trips to the hospital, and are at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome.
• Secondhand smoke is responsible for 8,000 to 26,000 new cases of asthma, and 150,000 to 300,000 new cases of bronchitis and pneumonia each year.
• A smoke-free resolution or ordinance will protect many tribal employees, children, and adult tribal members from secondhand smoke, improving health and decreasing sick days.
• Healthier people means less IHS and tribal health department funding being spent to treat secondhand smoke related illnesses.
• Our tribal governments can demonstrate their leadership in being proactive to protect the health of their tribal members.
• States and local governments are beginning to pass smoke-free ordinances around the nation. Our tribal governments should not be the last to pass laws protecting the indoor air quality of their people.
• If children are sacred, shouldn’t their air be?