Overview
SmokefreeNATIVE is a new, free text messaging program for American Indian and Alaska Native adults and adolescents who want to quit smoking. SmokefreeNATIVE was developed by and for Native people to offer a culturally aligned, digital resource to improve access to evidence-based smoking cessation support. The SmokefreeNATIVE text program can help American Indians and Alaska Natives quit harmful commercial tobacco while still honoring their relationship with sacred tobacco.
On this page, you will find social posts and newsletter copy that can be used to promote the SmokefreeNATIVE text messaging program. We hope you'll find these messages share-worthy! If you'd like us to personalize something for your audience, please email Cynthia.HamiltonPaige@nih.gov. We can work with you to create the right message for a specific audience in need of support.
Suggested Social Posts
Suggested Post: Quitting commercial tobacco protects children and elders from the harms of secondhand smoke. If you need help to quit, text “NATIVE” to 47848 for tips, advice, and encouragement to overcome challenges and stay motivated. Message and data rates may apply. #NativeHealth #IndianCountry
Suggested Post: Quitting commercial tobacco will improve your heart and lung health, reduce your risk of developing cancer, and protect children and elders from exposure to secondhand smoke. If you need help to quit, text “NATIVE” to 47848 for tips, advice, and encouragement. Message and data rates may apply. #NativeHealth #IndianCountry
Suggested Post:@IHSgov and @theNCI offer SmokefreeNATIVE, a culturally aligned, evidence-based text message program to quit commercial tobacco. People who smoke and are ready to quit can enroll in the 6–8 week program by texting NATIVE to 47848 for tips, advice, and encouragement. Message and data rates may apply. #NativeHealth #IndianCountry
Suggested Post: Sacred tobacco is spiritual, natural, and used with good intentions. Commercial tobacco is profit-driven, unnatural, and harmful. If you or someone you know wants to quit smoking, text “NATIVE” to 47848. You will receive tips, advice, and encouragement. Message and data rates may apply. #NativeHealth #IndianCountry
Suggested post: A smokefree home helps our children be healthier as they grow up. If you smoke commercial tobacco and you’re ready to quit, text “NATIVE” to 47848 for tips, advice, and encouragement to overcome challenges and stay motivated. Message and data rates may apply. #NativeHealth #IndianCountry
Suggested post: It’s never too late to quit smoking. Quitting smoking now improves your health and reduces your risk of heart disease, cancer, lung disease, and other smoking-related illnesses. Take the first step: Text “NATIVE” to 47848 for tips, advice, and encouragement. Message and data rates may apply. #NativeHealth #IndianCountry
Suggested post: While sacred tobacco is important for prayer, healing, and ceremony, commercial tobacco is harmful to our health. If you want help to quit commercial tobacco, enroll in SmokefreeNATIVE—a free mobile messaging tool with tips, advice, and encouragement. Text “NATIVE” to 47848. Message and data rates may apply. #NativeHealth #IndianCountry
Sample Newsletter Copy
IHS and NCI Launch SmokefreeNATIVE, a New Smoking Cessation Texting Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives
SmokefreeNATIVE is a new, free evidence-based text-messaging tool for American Indian and Alaska Native adults and adolescents who want to quit smoking. SmokefreeNATIVE was developed with experts from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and the American Indian Cancer Foundation to offer a culturally aligned, digital resource to improve access to evidence-based smoking cessation support.
Sacred tobacco is spiritual, natural, and used by many tribes as part of traditional ceremonies, while commercial tobacco is harmful. SmokefreeNATIVE braids together evidence-based smoking cessation support with key themes and content reflecting Native cultural experiences, worldviews, and traditions.
The SmokefreeNATIVE text program can help American Indians and Alaska Natives quit commercial tobacco while still honoring their relationship with sacred tobacco. People can sign up for this 6-8 week program (depending upon when someone sets their quit date) by texting NATIVE to 47848 or enrolling online. Participants will receive three to five messages each day with information, encouragement, and support to help them on their journey to quit smoking. Message and data rates may apply.
SmokefreeNATIVE was developed as part of an ongoing collaboration between the National Cancer Institute’s Smokefree.gov Initiative and the Indian Health Service to increase access to evidence-based smoking cessation support and to reduce the disproportionate public health burden of disease and early death experienced by American Indian and Alaska Native communities due to continued use of commercial tobacco products.
If you’d like more information about SmokefreeNATIVE, please contact ncismokefreeteam@nih.gov.