American Indians / Alaska Natives
Cigarette smoking is more common among American Indians/Alaska Natives than almost any other racial/ethnic group in the United States.*
- More than 1 in 4 (27.1% ) American Indian/Alaska Native adults smokes cigarettes.*
Smoking increases the chances of:
- Losing members from your tribal community to smoking-related illnesses
- Losing elders to smoking-related diseases or exposure to secondhand smoke before they can pass down tribal customs and traditions
If you are an American Indian or Alaska Native, you likely know someone with health problems from cigarette smoking—possibly a member of your family with a smoker’s cough who is struggling to breathe or a friend with lung cancer.
Smoking cigarettes while you are pregnant increases the risk for pregnancy complications. These health problems may be a special risk in AI/AN communities, where smoking during pregnancy is more common than among other ethnic groups.
If you smoke during pregnancy, you may give birth to a premature baby or a baby who weighs less than 5½ pounds. Sudden infant death syndrome (known as SIDS or crib death) is another danger for babies of moms who smoke during pregnancy.
Babies and children who are exposed to tobacco smoke can continue to have health problems. These health problems can include bronchitis, pneumonia, and ear infections. You can help protect future generations by keeping children away from cigarette smoke.
Learn what percent of people currently smoke cigarettes, both in the United States overall and among specific populations.
Nathan M., a Native American and veteran of the U.S. military, never smoked cigarettes. But years of working in a casino that allowed smoking damaged his lungs and led to his death in 2013 at age 54.
“I want to make people aware of the damage that exposure to secondhand smoke can do to you.”
- Text QUITNOW to 333888—Message and data rates may apply
- quitSTART appexternal icon—tips, information, and challenges to help you quit
- 1-800-QUIT-NOW
- 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (Español [Spanish])
- Asian Smokers’ Quitlineexternal icon
- 1-800-838-8917 (中文 (Chinese) [Cantonese & Mandarin])
- 1-800-556-5564 (한국어 [Korean])
- 1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt [Vietnamese])
Quit Smoking Medications
There are 7 quit-smoking medicines approved by the FDA. Explore ways to get free or reduced cost quit-smoking medicines from your health insurance, health plan, or other sources.
Nathan M., a Native American and veteran of the U.S. military, never smoked cigarettes. But years of working in a casino that allowed smoking damaged his lungs and led to his death in 2013 at age 54.
“I want to make people aware of the damage that exposure to secondhand smoke can do to you.”
More Real Stories:
- Freedom From Smoking
- Tobacco Dependence Treatment Program from the HealthCare Partnership at the University of Arizona (cessation education for health care professionals)
*Tobacco Product Use Among Adults – United States, 2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2022.