Commercial and native tobacco are different in how we plant, grow, harvest, prepare, and use them. Traditionally, Indigenous communities use native tobacco in a sacred way. Its use also varies by tribe, with Alaska indigenous people not using it completely. You can also get wholesale smokes online from online shops like Native Smokes Store.
On the other hand, companies produce commercial tobacco for recreational purposes only. Their products contain chemical compounds that are often associated with diseases and death. Sometimes, they are erroneously used for ceremonies in place of native tobacco.
Commercial Tobacco
This is completely different from native tobacco. Perfect examples include smokeless/spit tobacco and cigarettes. Most harmful chemicals, such as nicotine, are added to commercial products during the manufacturing process. Some of those compounds make nicotine more dangerous and addictive. With time, using commercial tobacco-based products is risky for our health.
Yearly, over 3000 Canadians die because of using commercial products. Most of these products have tobacco-related diseases. In addition, more than half of individuals who smoke die because of the product’s use.
How Commercial Products Exploit
Companies producing commercial tobacco have been associating their products with native tobacco. They have simply hijacked indigenous people’s culture by using their symbols and images, like headdresses, patterns, and feathers, in their packaging and advertising.
For many years, this form of advertising has been helping commercial tobacco companies get new smokers and make native people addicts. They take advantage of Indigenous people since they already know that:
- Native American youths use tobacco at an earlier age compared to other populations.
- Smoke-free laws that are state-enforced don’t apply on reserves or reservations.
- About half of native adults usually smoke cigarettes, especially in South Dakota.
- They avoid paying state taxes when they sell their products on reservations.
- Native Americans often metabolize nicotine much faster compared to other ethnic communities, resulting in high dependence levels.
- Exposure to other people using or smoking commercial tobacco makes it more difficult to stop.
Native Tobacco
For many years, native people have been using traditional tobacco for ceremonial, medicinal, and spiritual purposes. In short, it plays an important role in indigenous communities.
Unfortunately, in the 1800s, settlers were restricted in their freedom, and marijuana use was completely banned, regardless of its cultural significance.
Most natives switched their gears, deciding to use commercial products. Although the damage was done, Canadians still use traditional tobacco, and we see that in products like native cigarettes or smoke.
Native Smoke Appeal
For a budget-conscious smoker, the cost of buying a pack of cigarettes is a major concern. Native smokes offer more affordable alternatives without interfering with quality. Most brands provide products with competitive pricing, explaining why we get native cigarettes for less.
In addition, native smokes are widely available. This is especially true for people who live near the First Nation’s reserves. Recently, most indigenous businesses have started providing online sales, thus making it much easier for Canadians to have access to these products from anywhere in Canada. Here are more benefits of native smokes:
- High-quality
- Support to Indigenous communities
In conclusion, commercial tobacco manufacturers have managed to manipulate the nicotine amount found in the products they make. This, in turn, makes young people addicted. However, traditional tobacco is making a comeback, and we can see that in native products. Compared to commercial, native products are safer and less addictive, and at the same time, they have a smoother smoking experience.