By Santee Ross, University of Montana

Cigs, smokes, cancer sticks or just plain cigarettes but whatever name you call them, November 17 marks this year’s Great American Smokeout.

The Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program has teamed up with the American Cancer Society, and several programs and events including National American Indian Heritage Month, to promote the Great American Smoke-out according to the November 10 edition of Glacier Reporter.

The Great American Smokeout is meant to raise awareness of tobacco use and encourages all smokers to quit smoking even if just for the day.

I am supportive of causes in the name of health but being Indian complicates this matter a little bit. Tobacco is used for prayer and ceremonies. My dad smokes a cig every morning for his prayers and when I say a prayer I do the same.

I don’t want to have to restrict myself because tobacco prevention programs campaign for absolutely no tobacco—yeah that really worked for alcohol during prohibition.

But I’m not blind to the fact that some natives, my auntie included, are a pack-a-day kind of smokers. I always cringe when I hear my auntie go into fits of smoker’s cough. I get this mental picture of tar filled lungs—the kind they shock you with at tobacco prevention presentations.

Let’s face it though, no matter what shock and awe campaign, smokers (pack-a-day and occasional) will likely light one up just to spite the Smoke-out—that’s what I would do.

Smokers, myself included, are going to continue to smoke no matter what gruesome photos you show us. It’s not just because were Native, although that is one significant factor, but also because it’s our choice.

We know the risks and choose to light one up but hopefully with the Smoke-out Thursday, pack-a-day smokers will see that excess of a good thing can be a bad thing.

Santee Ross (Hopi/Lakota) is from Lander, Wyo.