Join Us!  Contact Us!

Online: 
www.keepitsacred.org

Join our Listserv at: listserv@keepitsacred.org

Contacts:

Lisa Kerfoot, MPH
National Network Program Manager
Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan
2956 Ashmun Street, Suite A
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Phone: 1-906-632-6896
lkerfoot@itcmi.org


Cynthia Tainpeah, RN
National Network Partner
Muscogee Creek Nation Health System
Tobacco Prevention Program
121 W. Broadway • Okemah, Ok 74859
Phone: 1-918-623-1189
Cynthia.Tainpeah@creekhealth.org


Favian Kennedy, MSW
National Network Partner
Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board
Northern Plains Tobacco Prevention Project
1770 Rand Road • Rapid City, SD 57702
Phone: 1-605-721-1922
researchone@aatchb.org

Welcome!

This is the first issue of our monthly e-Newsletter, which will keep you up-to-date on news and events related to commercial tobacco abuse prevention in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

As part of our national network, you can help us to address the adverse health effects resulting from commercial tobacco abuse among AI/AN populations.

About the National Native Commercial Tobacco Abuse Prevention Network (The National Network)

The National Network was formed in 2008 as a partnership between the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, the Muscogee (Creek) National Tobacco Control Program, and the Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board. Each of the partnering organizations are intimately connected to the communities they serve and bring a wealth of knowledge

The National Network is a diverse community of American Indian/Alaska Natives leading commercial tobacco abuse prevention efforts throughout Indian Country. A Tribal Advisory Board comprising members from throughout Indian Country enables us to identify and eliminate health disparities related to commercial tobacco abuse. We also are committed to preserving the sacred status of traditional tobacco and its ceremonial/sacred uses.

The National Network’s Website, www.keepitsacred.org, is your one-stop connection to resources that will assist you in developing commercial tobacco abuse prevention efforts in your community.

Save the Dates: 
        
Native Tobacco Policy Summit
February 18-19, 2010
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Seattle, Washington
For more information contact Johnny Mao at jmao@u.washington.edu or 425-213-8760

Preparing for the 7th Generation:
The Journey Continues in Commercial Tobacco Control
April 7-9, 2010
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
For more information call 405-271-3619 or 918-623-1189

National Network Tribal Institute on Commercial Tobacco:
Integrating Chronic Disease Interventions
April 22-23, 2010
Albuquerque Marriott, Albuquerque, NM
For more information, go to www.keepitsacred.org or call 866-203-1039

The FDA Tobacco Control Act

	On June 22, 2009, President Obama signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (the Tobacco Control Act), a historic bill that gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate tobacco products. Click here for more information on the Tobacco Control Act. You also can view a complete copy of the legislation.

The FDA has solicited public comments on the Act. The National Network submitted comments, which can be viewed on the FDA’s Website at www.fda.gov. To date, the FDA has received more than 1,700 comments. The public comment period has been extended to December 28, 2009. You can submit your comments to the FDA.

The FDA publishes regular updates on the Tobacco Control Act. Among other activities, the FDA recently publicized and began enforcing the flavored cigarette ban. Also, a “listening session” with stakeholders was held in September. Lisa Kerfoot, Program Director for the National Network, participated in the call, and presented the highlights of The National Network’s comments to the FDA. We will keep you informed on those activities related to the Tobacco Control Act that affect the AI/AN community. Additional updates may be found at www.keepitsacred.org, under “Headline News.”

New Tribal Smoke-Free Policy Toolkit

You can download the new Tribal Smoke-Free Policy Toolkit [2nd Edition], a “one-stop shop” for policy-related materials that will assist you in your efforts to plan and implement an effective smoke-free policy that is appropriate for your tribal community. The toolkit contains the benefits of smoke-free policies, community readiness assessments, sample resolutions and ordinances that you can adapt, camera-ready ads, radio PSA’s, and much more.

If you would like technical assistance in developing a tribal smoke-free policy or a policy advocacy campaign, call The National Network at 866-203-1039.

Healthy People 2020 Objectives – Public Comment Invited

The Healthy People 2020 Objectives that were reviewed by the Federal Interagency Work Group are now posted online. You are invited to submit public comments on any of the proposed objectives through December 31, 2009.