Commercial tobacco prevention provides coaching and support to people who want to change their relationship with commercial tobacco products. We provide education on the harmful effects of smoking, vaping and smokeless tobacco. Our team can provide pointers and referrals to those seeking to quit. We work as part of Urban Native organizations with similar programs including NARA Northwest and The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. 

Our program also provides cultural connections and education on the uses of traditional tobacco before colonization. Colombian Tobacco that hasn’t been grown locally for more than 100 years is available to  community members for ceremony, gifting and offerings and prayer. Our approach includes all of our community   and has learning opportunities during garden tours, camps, and other connected NAYA programming.  We emphasize a closer relationship to traditional medicines as part of greater food sovereignty and traditional medicines as people are encouraged to have a hands-on part of the process of propagation and curing.  

If you are seeking more information, please contact us. Our Commercial Tobacco Coordinator and Community Health Workers have no judgements and lots of valuable information to talk with you about. Contact Ben Sanford at: bens@nayapdx.org for more information and to get involved.