Uplifting News

Quite the opposite actually, and not really amusing in the slightest:

The global promotion of commercial tobacco, and the subsequent addiction of Indigenous peoples to commercialized nicotine products, is a modern form of colonization and subjugation at national and international levels.5 Indigenous knowledge values, behaviors, and protocols have been suppressed (oftentimes appropriated for financial gain) through colonization processes implemented by governments, churches, and other institutions.6–8 For example, the US federal government passed the Code of Indian Offenses in 1883, prohibiting Indigenous peoples from the right to perform cultural and traditional ceremonial practices, such as the ghost and sun dances. Both of these ceremonial practices involved the use of ceremonial tobacco.9,10 In Canada, ceremonial tobacco use and ceremonial practices were more broadly illegal under the Indian Act of 1885 and its associated amendments.8 However, commercial tobacco use was not illegal, contributing to the promotion of commercial tobacco use among First Nations (status and non-status) and Métis peoples.8,11 As a direct consequence of these policies, commercial tobacco products were introduced into ceremonial practices as a harmful and unsustainable replacement to sacred tobacco.1,8,11 The restrictions of cultural and ceremonial practices, including use of ceremonial tobacco, were finally lifted in the United States in 1978 and in 1951 in Canada.8,9

Among some Indigenous peoples, the modification, transformation, and commercialization of the Nicotiana tobacco plant belittle, disrespect, and complicate the understanding of these plants that are endemic to Turtle Island.12,13 The widespread availability of commercial tobacco products, the historical restrictions on ceremonial tobacco products, the tobacco industry’s exploitation of tribal sovereignty through tax-exempt tribal cigarette sales and heavy promotion at tribal enterprises, and the Industry’s targeted marketing of commercial tobacco products to Indigenous peoples have enabled frequent use and dependence among Indigenous communities, with concomitant and serious effects on the user’s health, and those exposed to second- and third-hand smoke. These forms of colonization tactics have complicated public health efforts aimed at reducing harms of commercial tobacco in Indigenous communities. Commercial tobacco and its derivatives represent a threat to physical health, spiritual health, and well-being for Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island.5 Today, Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island report the highest prevalence of cigarette smoking, with above 50% in many communities, and lowest quit rates of all groups.14–16 Consequently, high rates of cigarette smoking have led to higher rates of smoking-related disease morbidity and mortality in these communities.17

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Because they aren't affected by government pricing, as its all tax.

So, tabacco is tax free. I used to know smokers who would go to the reservations in Ontario and come back with cartons.