There is too much misinformation being spread about Indian cigarettes. You may have heard that they are illegal or unsafe. Or perhaps that they are not real tobacco products. The reality is somewhat more complicated and is based on facts, law, and recognition of Indigenous sovereignty.

New to native smokes or even curious about what it might all be about? Below, we dispel some of the most popular myths.

Native cigarettes are illegal

This is quite a misconception. The reality? Native cigarettes are legal when sold and produced in sovereign Indigenous territory. They are also legal in most cases when bought by non-Indigenous adults as per local regulations.

What is confusing is the way that those cigarettes are taxed and regulated. They do not necessarily abide by the same federal or provincial regulations as those of big-brand smokes. They are produced and sold in accordance with the regulations of the First Nation communities of their origin. 

It is always a good idea to check your local laws when you are not sure. Don’t just assume that native smokes are illegal.

Native cigarettes are low-quality cigarettes

The second widespread misconception is that Native smokes are badly manufactured since they are cheap or have simpler packaging. It is not always the case.

Many brands of native smokes Canada utilize premium tobacco and are manufactured in a facility that maintains its own consistency and cleanliness criteria. The difference in price normally boils down to less tax and less marketing expenditure (not poor quality ingredients).

That said, brands may have different qualities. It is always best to buy from trusted sellers.

They have mystery ingredients

There is a belief that the native cigarettes have some sort of strange or harmful substances since their ingredients do not always show on their package. In fact, most native cigarette brands contain fewer and fewer chemical additives when compared to the mainstream commercial brands.

What you are obtaining is a natural blend of tobacco, instead of flavorings, accelerators, or preservatives. However, do not forget that additive-free does not imply safe. Whatever the brand, all tobacco products are health hazards.

Indigenous people are the only ones who can buy them

This is based completely on your location and where you are purchasing it. In most regions of Canada, native cigarettes are legally available to non-Indigenous persons, particularly when ordering from online stores or buying from trader-owned stores.

But certain regions do limit sales or require evidence of Indigenous identity. That is why it is also better to learn the laws of your area before making a purchase.

All online stores selling native cigarettes are scams

Certainly, there are dubious websites around. However, not all the websites where native cigarettes are sold on the web are dishonest. There are noteworthy, locally owned stores, most of which ship within their range of the law. The trick is to find transparent contact details, trustworthy payment methods, and reasonable prices.

Parting words

Native cigarettes are largely misconceived, not due to what they represent, but simply due to the fact that people lack sufficient knowledge regarding them. When you distinguish fact and fiction, you will get a better picture of the cultural, legal, and economic scenario behind such products.