Native Cigarettes Canada offers a range of premium cigarettes that deliver a full flavour and satisfying smoking experience. The cigarettes are manufactured by First Nations people and are often offered at lower prices than commercial brands due to taxation exemptions. While the lower price may encourage some smokers to take up the habit, the lower cost should not be viewed as an endorsement or encouragement to smoke. The cigarettes still pose the same health risks and carry the same warnings.
The cigarette manufacturing business is highly profitable for Indigenous communities. First Nations people are able to purchase tobacco products on their reserves without paying federal excise taxes, which would otherwise be collected at the point of sale. These products are then illegally resold to non-Aboriginal customers, either at on-reserve smoke shacks or, increasingly, by criminal gangs off reserve.
Understanding the Appeal of Native Cigarettes: Brands and Varieties
This unique situation poses a challenge to government efforts to influence smokers’ consumption behaviour using pricing and accessibility mechanisms. For example, if tobacco taxes are raised, First Nations people could shift to buying the legal product from discount supermarkets, rather than at smoke shacks on their own territory.
Similarly, some smokers may choose to buy their native cigarettes online to avoid the hassle of visiting smoke shops or the potential judgment and scrutiny from retailers. This approach may be more appealing to young people with busy schedules and those who prefer a sense of discretion. The ability to make online purchases also allows individuals to maintain anonymity and privacy, which is important for some of these smokers.