First Nations and Inuit Component of the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy

Health Canada is concerned about the high rates of smoking within Aboriginal communities.  It is working with First Nations and Inuit partners to take steps to reduce smoking and increase smoke-free environments to support healthy First Nations and Inuit individuals, families and communities.

The current Federal Tobacco Control Strategy includes $22 million (2012-2017) for a First Nations and Inuit Component.  This component supports First Nations and Inuit communities in implementing evidence-based tobacco control strategies.

Promoting knowledge sharing

The First Nations and Inuit Component of the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy (FTCS) aims to promote information and knowledge sharing. It supports the development and implementation of comprehensive tobacco control projects that are holistic, and socially and culturally appropriate. It also strives to reduce non-traditional tobacco use, while maintaining respect and recognition for traditional forms and uses of tobacco within communities.

A call for proposals for project funding under the First Nations and Inuit Component of the FTCS was issued in June 2014 which resulted in sixteen projects being funded across all Health Canada First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) Regions to March 2017.

All of the First Nations and Inuit communities and/or organizations selected for funding through the First Nations and Inuit Component of the FTCS will:

• establish comprehensive tobacco control strategies and interventions that reduce and prevent tobacco misuse, and reduce smoking rates; and
• share successes and knowledge from the projects to inform other strategies addressing tobacco misuse.

Projects activities include:

• reducing youth access to tobacco products
• enhancing no-smoking policies and by-laws
• promoting smoke-free homes, public spaces and workplaces through community and partner collaboration
• promoting awareness of the dangers of smoking and second hand smoke
• engaging and encouraging youth to adopt healthy Indigenous lifestyles
• offering tobacco cessation training for community workers
• delivering cessation programs to pregnant women and young mothers
• tracking success through indicators and share best practices

Lessons learned through the selected projects will be shared with other First Nations and Inuit communities to help inform their tobacco control strategies.