Native smokes are cigarettes made by indigenous tobacco companies that use a mix of locally-sourced burley and flue-cured tobaccos to provide a full-flavored smoke. They are less expensive than commercial cigarettes and do not contain the additional chemicals found in most commercial brands, making them a healthier alternative that also supports First Nations communities.

However, cigarette sales on reserves are not limited to the manufacture and distribution of these products; some reserve communities also sell cigarettes manufactured by non-Aboriginal corporations. These sales are illegal and often occur outside the jurisdiction of provincial governments (e.g., in Alberta, a retailer named Dakota Chundee has been cited for selling Rainbow Tobacco cigarettes that are not taxed in the province).

Exploring Options: Indian Cigarettes Near Me

The present study investigated whether smokers’ geographic proximity to potential sources of contraband on First Nations reserves was associated with their purchasing behaviours, using data from the ITC Canada survey. The analyses used unweighted descriptive statistics and estimated the mean distance to the nearest First Nations reserve and the average self-reported price paid per standardized “pack” of 25 cigarettes. The estimates were adjusted for the sample size and variances using Taylor series linearization methods. Sensitivity analysis excluded respondents with First Nations ancestry, who may be legally permitted to purchase cigarettes on reserves under the Indian Act.

Overall, results indicate that the likelihood of purchasing smuggled or contraband cigarettes increased with increasing distance from the nearest First Nations reserve. This trend was stronger among smokers in Ontario than Quebec, despite the fact that the latter introduced measures to curb the availability of contraband earlier in the 12-year period studied.