Orisatoki Rotimi
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Glob J Health Sci. 2012 Oct 28;5(1):28-34. doi: 10.5539/gjhs.v5n1p28.
Tobacco smoking among the Aboriginal populations is a major public health issue in Canada. It remains a major contributory risk factor to the poor health status as well as years of potential life lost seen among the indigenous people. The use of tobacco has a spiritual importance to the people as a means of making connection to the Creator, but unfortunately tobacco smoking has taken a recreational aspect which has little or no connection with Aboriginal spirituality. The non-traditional use of tobacco is believed by the Elders to be disrespectful to the Aboriginal culture and traditional way of life. There is an increase in rate of use of smokeless tobacco as well as smoking of tobacco among the youth with increase in percentage among females. There are socioeconomic implications as well as adverse health effects of the misuse of tobacco on the Aboriginal people that need to be addressed. The healthcare professionals have a unique role in helping patients to reduce tobacco use within the community through programs that are culturally sensitive and relevant. Successful strategies requires general support from the community and it is very important that some of that support comes from community leaders, including spiritual, professional, administrative and elected policy makers.
加拿大原住民群体中的吸烟问题是一个重大的公共卫生问题。它仍然是导致原住民健康状况不佳以及潜在寿命损失年数的主要促成风险因素。烟草的使用对人们具有精神层面的重要性，是与造物主建立联系的一种方式，但不幸的是，吸烟已演变成一种娱乐行为，与原住民精神信仰几乎没有关联。长老们认为，烟草的非传统用途是对原住民文化和传统生活方式的不尊重。随着女性吸烟率的上升，无烟烟草的使用率以及青少年吸烟率都在增加。烟草滥用对原住民产生了社会经济影响以及不良健康后果，这些问题需要得到解决。医疗保健专业人员在通过具有文化敏感性和相关性的项目帮助社区内的患者减少烟草使用方面发挥着独特作用。成功的策略需要社区的普遍支持，而且这种支持部分来自社区领袖，包括宗教领袖、专业人士、行政人员和当选的政策制定者，这一点非常重要。
