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.

• Freedom From Smokingexternal icon
• Tobacco Dependence Treatment Program from the HealthCare Partnership at the University of Arizonaexternal icon (cessation education for health care professionals)

*Tobacco Product Use Among Adults – United States, 2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2022.