CTSI Tobacco Policy
Cigarettes - Enemies of
a Healthy Heart
by Danelle Zosel-Sanderson
Tobacco Prevention Coordinator
Although most people know that
cigarette smoking can cause lung
cancer, they often don’t realize that
cigarettes are a major risk factor for heart
disease. Most health care providers
agree that the first step in fighting heart
problems is to quit smoking.
Smoking interferes with many
vital functions of the body by:
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Thanks to the Health Committee,
Tribal Council approved a tobacco policy
with a resolution (94-139) on June 18,
1994. This policy is in the tribal
personnel policies manual.
The tobacco policy affects all
tribal facilities, buildings and vehicles.
The smoking policy (section 1-4) in the
raising blood pressure
lowering the oxygen supply
causing a risk of blood clots
damaging the arteries
The nicotine in cigarette smoke
acts as a stimulant, making the heart
beat faster and raising blood pressure.
At the same time, nicotine causes
arteries to shrink, which interferes with
the flow of blood in the body and makes
the heart work even harder.
Smoking also releases carbon
monoxide into the body, which lowers the
amount of oxygen in the blood. As a
result, the heart has to work harder to
supply the oxygen the body needs.
Under these conditions, normal activities
can leave a person breathless and
strenuous activity may become
impossible.
Smoking also makes the blood
thick and sticky, so it’s easier for clots to
form in the arteries, leading to heart
attacks or other life-threatening
situations.
Smoking also can severely
damage blood vessels by causing fatty
deposits to build up in the walls of the
arteries. Clogged arteries make it
employee manual states there should be
no smoking in or near the main
entrances of the tribal offices.
Those employees who choose to
difficult for the heart to get the oxygen it
needs, putting a severe strain on the
heart. In severely narrowed arteries, a
clot can totally cut off circulation, a
potentially fatal condition.
The clear message is that
smoking seriously increases a person’s
risk for heart attacks, strokes, circulatory
diseases in the extremities, chronic lung
diseases, and other forms of heart
disease. But this risk factor can be
completely controlled. When you stop
smoking, you immediately improve your
health and your chances for a longer life.
If you’ve tried to quit and can’t,
ask your health care provider for advice
on safe and effective ways to stop
smoking. You also can attend Smoking
Cessation classes at the Siletz Clinic
every Tuesday and Thursday at noon.
Contact Danelle or Kathryn at the clinic,
541-444-1030 or 1-800-648-0049.
© 1995 PARLAY INTERNATIONAL
1600.100
smoke are permitted to smoke only in
designated smoking areas, which are
located on the east and west sides
downstairs and upstairs, during the
lunch break and two 15-minute breaks.
Each employee who uses tobacco
products is responsible for disposing of
refuse in a sanitary manner.
We all engage in habits that
consume time that could otherwise be
used more positively. People who smoke
spend 8 percent, or 1.5 hours, of their
workday engaging in their habit. All of
us could use more of our time to engage
in positive activities, such as exercising,
reading, or furthering our education.
Tobacco use should only occur
during official breaks and only in
designated areas. Please support our
policy and help keep the entrances to
our buildings safe for staff and clients.
Tobacco Prevention and Education Program Mission Statement
by Danelle Zosel-Sanderson, Tobacco Prevention Coordinator
Individual members of the
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
will gradually change community norms
regarding tobacco use. Traditional
spiritual uses of tobacco will be honored
as a cultural strength. Addictive use of
commercial tobacco products will be
seen as a threat to the health and future
of the tribe.
Through education regarding the
risks of second-hand smoke exposure
to small children, adults will encourage
one another to protect children as the
future of the tribe. Smoke-free homes
and cars will become the rule even
among adults who smoke.
Greater consciousness of the
connection between adult modeling of
addictive tobacco use and the desire of
youth to adopt adult behaviors will
encourage and motivate tribal leaders,
parents, and grandparents to model a
tobacco-free lifestyle.
Regardless of age, all Siletz
Tribal members struggling with nicotine
addiction will have access to affordable,
respectful, and culturally sensitive
cessation support programs and
nicotine replacement therapy.