[HealthyTribes] Navajo Nation Policy Can Help Your Work

[Lee Collinge]

Hello,

As you saw a few weeks ago the Navajo Nation has joined the Blackfeet Nation
and Fort Peck Tribes as the third Indian Nation to go tobacco free!

This is important news that can support the policy work you are doing in
your Tribes. It shows that more and more places and communities are
embracing commercial tobacco policies as a way of creating healthier spaces
for everyone. 

Metropolitan Group will be putting together a set of talking points
highlighting the Navajo Nation decision and making connections to policy
work here in Oregon.  The talking points will be for you to use in your work
as you need them.  We will get them to you next week.

If you would also like help developing a media release, or a Letter to the
Editor for the media serving your community, just let us know.

Additionally, just let us know if you would like help thinking about what
you can do to leverage this news. It's a great opportunity and we'd be happy
to help you map out a strategy.

Thanks,
Lee Collinge
Senior Director
Metropolitan Group


And in case you missed it, the Navajo Nation press release is below.


Media Release
 
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
 
Contact: Patricia Nez Henderson, email: pnhenderson at bhcaih.org

 
Navajo Nation Historic Event: President Ben Shelly Signs Executive Order for
Commercial Tobacco-free Environments on Navajo Nation
 
Window Rock, AZ -- Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly in an historic event
Tuesday, April 26 signed an Executive Order protecting employees and the
public on the Navajo Nation from exposure to commercial tobacco smoke in all
workplaces and public places.

The primary goal is to improve the health of Navajo people while respecting
traditional practices and ceremonies associated with traditional tobacco
use. Today President Shelly fulfilled his campaign promise and established a
commercial tobacco free environment in all workplaces and public places
within the Navajo Nation.  Secondhand smoke increases the risk of heart
disease, asthma, lung and other cancers, and has been classified by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Group A carcinogen. There is no
safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke and ventilation technology does
not ensure protection from secondhand smoke and its health-related
illnesses.
 
The use of commercial tobacco products will be prohibited in indoor public
places and workplaces, and within 25 feet of entrances so as to prevent
secondhand smoke from entering those areas.

"Each day hundreds if not thousands of Navajo people are involuntarily
exposed to chemicals that we know are harmful.  It is the duty of the Navajo
Nation President to put the health of our people first. This executive order
will assure that our people's health is protected" said Ben Shelly, the
President of the Navajo Nation.

"Every person on the Navajo Nation has the right to breathe smoke-free air
in public and work places," said Dr. Nez-Henderson.  She added, "The Navajo
people stand firmly behind President Shelly in their support of a strong
tobacco-free policy.  A poll conducted in 2009 indicated that 91% of Navajo
people support making workplaces free from commercial tobacco use, with no
exemption for casinos. TEAM Navajo never stopped fighting for the health of
all Navajo people because no workers should be left behind."

TEAM Navajo is a coalition of health advocates and organizations working to
pass strong tobacco-free policy to protect the health of the people of the
Navajo Nation for the past four years, taking commercial tobacco out of all
workplaces and indoor public places on the Navajo Nation while respecting
traditional tobacco use

-- 
Lee Collinge
Senior Director
Metropolitan Group

I'm in our Portland office:
503 223 3299 x 243 main line
503 517-3739 direct
503 223 3474 fax
519 SW Third Avenue Suite 700
Portland Oregon 97204

We also have offices in:
Chicago Illinois
Washington DC
San Francisco, California

http://www.metgroup.com




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