Project Mission:

The Southwest Navajo Tobacco Education Prevention Project (SNTEPP)
is a CDC and Robert Wood Johnson funded project whose overall goal
is to  improve the health of Navajo people living on the Navajo Nation
with a primary focus on children through education, prevention,
cessation, and policy of commercial tobacco use.

Commercial Tobacco Use Among the Diné (Navajos)

18% of Diné youth (grades 5_6th) are chewing smokeless tobacco.
56% of Diné youth (grades 9th & 10th) are chewing smokeless tobacco.
28% of Diné men (ages 15-24) are smoking cigarettes daily.
37% of Diné men (ages 20-39) are chewing smokeless tobacco.
31% of Diné women (ages 20-39) are chewing smokeless tobacco.

Negative Effects of Cigarette Use

■ Cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States,
   accounting for approximately 1 of 5 deaths (438,000 people) each year.
■ Lung cancer - a smoking related disease - is the leading cause of cancer related
   deaths in the U.S.
■ Cigarette smoking and chewing tobacco are "GATEWAY" drugs - meaning use of
   commercial tobacco will increase risk of using alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroine,
   and methamphetamine.
■ Children exposed to second hand smoke suffer more from asthma & earaches.
■ Chewing tobacco increases the risk for cancer of mouth and throat.

Prevention

■ Parents and Grandparents have the BIGGEST role teaching their children about commercial
  tobacco and its negative effects!
■ Increase community awareness of the harmful effects of commercial tobacco through
   community - based programs.

Tobacco Policies

■ Increase tobacco taxation
       ■ This policy is the most effective method in preventing young Diné from starting
          to smoke or chew.
       ■ For every $1 increase on tobacco products will decrease smoking and chewing
          tobacco rates among Diné youth by 10%.
       ■ Will increase revenue for the Tribe.

■ Tobacco bans and restrictions
       ■ Increase quit attempts for current tobacco users.
       ■ Decrease initiation of tobacco products for Diné youth.
       ■ Provide a healthier environment for Diné families and communities.

Cessation

■ Tribal and IHS Health care system to promote screening and treatment for
   Bila gaana Bi Natoh' (commercial tobacco).
■ Use Arizona, New Mexico and Utah State Quit Lines

                      Contacts: