TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — During the national Great American Smokeout, Cherokee Nation is making its own efforts to encourage tribal citizens to stop smoking and opt for a healthier lifestyle.
November 21 is the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout.
Cherokee Nation Public Health recently reported on the number of ways the tribe has continued in its efforts to promote smoking cessation and reduce smoke-related health disparities across the Cherokee Nation using funds from the tribe’s Public Health and Wellness Fund Act. The Act was amended in 2023 and dedicated $100 million in settlement funds from opioid and e-cigarette lawsuits for a variety of public health programs. Specifically, the new Public Health and Wellness Fund Act provides $2.8 million over the next eight years for a Smoking Cessation Fund to create opportunities over the next decade to expand and innovate the tribe’s smoking-cessation services.
“Ultimately, Cherokee Nation is always trying to help citizens improve their daily lives,” Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. “When we put time, money and effort into tobacco cessation programs, we aren’t just helping people reclaim their lives, but also foster healthier communities for generations to come. I’m proud of the work our Public Health is doing and will continue to support them in these efforts.”
Earlier this year, Chief Hoskin announced the tribe’s “Keep it Traditional” campaign as part of the tribe’s anti-smoking and anti-vaping Public Health and Wellness initiatives.
To encourage participation in online tobacco cessation classes, Cherokee Nation Public Health implemented an incentive from $50 to $150 to the tribe’s government employees who completed the seven-week course.
A total of 21 smoking cessation classes were held from October 2023 to August 2024, this included 189 participants who signed up for the classes, and 27 incentive gift cards were distributed to Cherokee Nation employees who completed the program.
A total of 36 participants quit using tobacco entirely.
In addition to the seven-week courses, Cherokee Nation Public Health was also able to provide a virtual option for at-large Cherokee citizens.
"We're trying to create options that can reach all of our Cherokee citizens to meet them where they are in their wellness journey," Deputy Chief Bryan Warner said.
Funds were also used to hire a full-time Tobacco Prevention Program Coordinator and a Program Surveillance and Evaluation specialist.
The Tobacco Prevention Program Coordinator, so far, has been able to visit at-large meetings to hand out quit kits and provide more information to at-large citizens about tobacco cessation.
The Program Surveillance and Evaluation Specialist was hired to begin the development of a Cherokee Nation tobacco prevention data dashboard and conduct program evaluations that will expand and enhance public health’s data, surveillance and workforce capacity.
There were more than 640 people across the Cherokee Nation Reservation who participated in the World No Tobacco Day events in May.
During these events, public health educators held outreach events in communities across the reservation, where they gave out quit kits and t-shirts.
Cherokee Nation Public Health also announced the “Keep It Traditional” campaign, which promoted a cultural message that tobacco is sacred to our people and are to be used in traditional sense.
Other annual tobacco cessation events public health participated in this year include:
Cherokee Nation Public Health Educators setting up informational booths in their local communities and giving out quit kits and information on the tribe’s tobacco cessation classes during the Great American Smokeout.
A local high school also requested the Cherokee Nation Public Health Tobacco Prevention Program Coordinator to be a guest speaker in April. Approximately 200 high school students listened to a presentation on the dangers of smoking, vaping and smokeless tobacco use. They also got to participate with hands-on activities.
“I am proud of the investment by Chief Hoskin to continue to address tobacco cessation. Stopping the use of commercial tobacco is one of the most difficult habits to break. I am so proud of all those who were able to kick the habit and especially those who are Cherokee Nation employees, as they serve as role models in our communities,” Cherokee Nation Public Health Executive Director Lisa Pivec said. "I encourage anyone thinking about making the commercial tobacco free choice to do and know that Cherokee Nation Public Health is here to walk with you and support you on that journey. Even if have tried before, I encourage you to try again. It may take several attempts to stop, but each time you are one step closer to ending commercial tobacco use for the rest of your life.”