STATE of UTAH ENDORSES TOBACCO SMOKING for NATIVE AMERICANS

Thirteen months ago, the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) launched a media program called "I Did It!" to get citizens to stop smoking tobacco. The campaign is ongoing, extensive, and focuses on stories of people who successfully quit smoking.

Six months ago, the Utah Department of Health endorsed the smoking of tobacco by Native Americans if it was for "spiritual," "natural," or "ceremonial" purposes. They presented their message "in a culturally sensitive and culturally charismatic way."

Six posters were created, distinguishing between traditional and commercial use, for posters and billboards. Appropriate images are used to illustrate the messages. For example, two pictures of Native American men using tobacco are displayed. The first picture shows a man using natural tobacco in a ceremonial setting, with the word "spiritual" below. This is contrasted with a second picture showing a man smoking a cigarette, with the word "spiritless" below. Other posters juxtapose "prayers" and "poisons," "ceremonial" and "commercial," "creation" and "pollution," "natural" and "unnatural," and "positive" and "negative" uses and situations. Two posters focus on the use of tobacco during pregnancy.

The UDOH identified the need for culturally appropriate materials for the Native American population regarding tobacco use, and went through an extensive review process involving representatives from all Utah tribes. The posters will be distributed through tribal health leaders and local health departments that work with the tribes.[My emphasis]

This reversal on the part of the State of Utah can only be attributed to political correctness. It's cloaked as a recognition of Native American culture and spirituality. I don't buy their hogwash.

To insult or irritate Native Americans is one of the most heinous acts possible. Remember, many Native Americans were slaughtered by the European white man and their pristine native land was appropriated. They represent oneness with the environment and Mother Earth. They are a cornerstone of American liberal theology. It's taboo in the current PC climate to anger them. And the State of Utah has chosen to be politically correct.

As for the argument concerning Native American spirituality requires the use of tobacco so Utah will endorse it, I have two questions. Just how many Rastafarians would be allowed by the State of Utah to have, grow, and smoke marijuana for spiritual purposes? And, how many Yaqui Indians would be allowed by the state to use hallucinogenic cactus or mushrooms for spiritual purposes? I'm fairly confident that "none" is the answer to both questions.

No question about it, the Utah Department of Health backtracked because it was politically incorrect not to.

Bigwig pointed me to this story and has a slightly different take which I agree with. He discusses the ridiculous contention that Native American tobacco is different from commercial tobacco with regard to chemical makeup. Click on the link.