The Hopi Tobacco program has been here on the Hopi reservation since 1999. As of October 2010, theTobacco Program has been relocated back to its original office building and is a part of the new HOPI (Hopi Office of Prevention and Interventions) Cancer Support Services Center. The HOPI Cancer Support Services consists of the Cancer Network, NACP, Cancer Screening Program-Women’s Health, Hopi Cancer Assistance Fund, HCAF, Tobacco Program and many more under the cancer umbrella.
The Tobacco program is coordinated by Eldon Kalemsa Jr., of the Sun-forehead clan, from the Village of Sipaulovi, Second Mesa, Arizona. Eldon’s background with the Radiology program at the Hopi IHS facility and personal/group fitness trainer for the Hopi Wellness Center allows him to share his experience and apply it to the Tobacco program. With his experience in health and fitness, Eldon is able to provide sound intervention in the campaign against commercial tobacco. With community involvement, participation and practice of Hopi culture, he is able to provide evidence based education and prevention while adhering to Hopi culture and belief in traditional tobacco.
Commercial Tobacco
- Contains 4000 chemicals with 69 cancer causing agents.
- The leading factor in Second hand and Third hand smoke (infants and toddlers)
- Estimated 4000 children will have tried their first cigarette by the time they are 18.
- Is a cancer risk for: mouth, breasts, esophagus, lung, bladder, kidney, pancreas, brain and cervix.
- Chief preventable cause of illness and death in our society (480,000 deaths per year).
- Gateway to other drugs.
- If you add water to nicotine, it could kill bugs.
Traditional Tobacco
- Harvested in the wild without additives or chemicals.
- Is not inhaled.
- Natural
- Used for specific purposes and at specified times only. Not for commercial or habitual use.
- Used spiritually, medicinally, and religiously.
- Requires respect and sacredness.
- Needs to be farmed to sustain resource and availability.
Services Provided
Tobacco education and prevention presentations:
- School, community and business presentations
- School curriculum, K-12 available in tobacco education with focus on youth coalitions
- Cessation services in-conjunction with Hopi Health Care Center (referral system) and Ashline referrals
- Community activities and events
- Collaborations with local, county, state and national organizations
- Presentations through cultural perspective