American Lung Association Applauds Passage of the Navajo Nation Commercial Tobacco Products Tax

Today, JoAnna Strother, Senior Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association issued a statement regarding the passage of legislation 0145-24 on the Navajo Nation to increase the existing tobacco products tax and enact a new tax on electronic smoking and nicotine products. 

“The American Lung Association applauds the Navajo Nation, President Buu Nygren, Sponsor Delegate Carl Slater, and the Air is Life Coalition for continuing their lifesaving health efforts by increasing the excise tax on commercial cigarettes by a $1.50 and establishing a new tax on nicotine and vaping products.

This legislation will not only improve health by preventing youth from beginning the use of commercial tobacco products and encourage current users to quit commercial tobacco use but the new law will also generate significant revenue, a portion of which will be directed to the Office of Traditional Cultural and Spiritual Healing under the Navajo Department of Health.”

This law comes after Navajo Nation leaders and the Air is Life Coalition passed Nich’ Éí Bee Ííná – Air is Life Act in 2021, making Navajo Nation casinos and other public spaces and workplaces smokefree. “This is a record of leadership to be proud of when it comes to reducing commercial tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. The American Lung Association congratulates everyone involved in these important public health efforts”, continued Strother.