Despite being marketed as “native cigarettes,” commercial cigarettes are harmful to Native people and contribute to high rates of addiction, chronic disease, heart attacks, and death. Native tobacco, on the other hand, is sacred and can be used to connect with the Creator.

But many Natives have strayed away from their traditions. Instead of using kinnickinnick, or “what is mixed,” Native American smokers are buying commercial cigarettes that feature a blend of toxins and flavorings that can lead to serious health problems.

In an effort to combat the epidemic, some Native communities have turned to their roots to promote healthy lifestyles. In the past, Indigenous communities used a blend of kinnickinnick and tobacco for ceremonial and healing purposes. But a century ago, fur traders introduced commercially processed tobacco to Indian communities, and Native people started adopting what is now considered a casual but addictive habit.

Exploring the World of Native Cigarettes: Your Guide

To help restore traditional practices, some Native communities are now producing and selling their own native cigarettes under the brands they own or license. Known as “native smokes,” these cigarettes are usually sold at myriad “smoke shops” on local reserves or distributed to distributors who peddle them in non-Native communities. But despite their low price point, these cigarettes are still not as safe as commercial cigarettes, which contain nicotine and many cancer-causing chemicals.