General Information

Commercial tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Understanding what it is and how it works is the foundation of any path forward.

What Is Commercial Tobacco

Commercial cigarettes contain over 7,000 chemicals, hundreds of which are toxic and about 70 of which can cause cancer. Unlike sacred tobacco used in ceremony, commercial tobacco is engineered for addiction — with additives designed to keep you smoking.

How It Affects the Body

Regular smoking damages almost every organ in the body. The lungs bear the most direct impact — airways narrow, air sacs are destroyed, and the risk of lung cancer, COPD, and heart disease rises with every year of use.

Why Indigenous Communities Are Disproportionately Affected

American Indian and Alaska Native peoples experience some of the highest commercial tobacco use rates in the country. This is not a reflection of culture — it is the result of targeted marketing by tobacco companies, systemic poverty, historical trauma, and limited access to cessation resources.

The Difference Between Sacred and Commercial

Traditional tobacco, used in ceremony and prayer, is a sacred gift. Commercial tobacco is a manufactured product designed for profit. Understanding this distinction is central to reclaiming health without abandoning culture.