Tobacco use is a devastating health and economic burden in the State of Oklahoma and affects the
state’s Native American population at disproportionate rates. According to the Oklahoma State
Department of Health Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2008 Annual Report, less than
25% of Oklahoma adults were smokers, and of those who currently smoke, it is more common
among American Indians (31.2%) than other racial/ethnic groups and those with less education
and income. When looking at tobacco use at a more local level, the Cherokee Nation prevalence
rates for current smokers, based on the 2009 Cherokee Nation Adult Tobacco Survey findings,
report that 29% of the Cherokee Nation population who reside in the 14-county Cherokee Nation
Tribal Jurisdictional Service Area are cigarette smokers. These data emphasize the need for tribal
tobacco use prevention programs to promote health and prevent chronic diseases. For the
Cherokee Nation, health promotion is considered a priority and part of the tribe’s vision to create
a happy, healthy Cherokee Nation for this and future generations. Tribal and small rural to
communities can play a significant role in decreasing tobacco use among its citizens by increasing
tobacco-free environments through the adoption of tobacco-free public policies.
The Task Force on Community Preventive Services recommends using smoking bans and restrictions on the basis of strong evidence of effectiveness in reducing exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. This implementation guide will share a tribal perspective in collaborating with local stakeholders to implement a tobacco-free parks city ordinance and provide information about the action steps that took place. The goal of adopting this type of public policy is to educate the community about the dangers of environmental tobacco smoke, reduce youth exposure to secondhand smoke, promote positive tobacco-free role models for youth, and encourage litter control.
