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The objectives are to review data on tobacco use among First Nation and Inuit populations in Canada, to review research on smoking cessation through taxation and to sketch existing First Nation-government anti-smoking tax-arrangements, to delineate factors relevant to using taxation to discourage smoking among Aboriginal populations in Canada, and to synthesize these data and provide recommendations for community members, health practitioners, policymakers, and funders.
Aboriginal rates of tobacco consumption remain disproportionately high. This continues to render Aboriginal adults and youth susceptible to a host of health impacts. Tobacco's long cultural history, abundant availability and social acceptance in Aboriginal communities likely contribute to high rates of tobacco use in Aboriginal communities. This, together with the persistent mistrust of government taxation policies and perceptions of tax immunity among Aboriginal people, challenges the potential use of taxation as a mechanism to increase tobacco prices in order to reduce smoking rates.
Comprehensive anti-smoking campaigns are most effective, and various approaches to prevent and discourage smoking in Aboriginal adults and youth, including taxation, education, media campaigns, elimination of tobacco advertisements and sponsorship, de-glamorization strategies and marketing controls should be combined to create such inclusive approaches.
Consultation with and implementation by First Nations communities is crucial for the success of anti-smoking campaigns and strategies.
Tobacco taxation can be an effective component of comprehensive anti-smoking campaigns in Aboriginal communities.
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