• Research Review
• Journal Review

Authors: E Alderete, P Erickson, C Kaplan, E Perez-Stable

Reference: Anthropology & Medicine 2010; 17(1):27-39
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a921499808~db=all~jumptype=rss

Reviewer: Carlos Mendoza Montano, PhD, ProCor contributing editor; President, Guatemalan Association for the Prevention of Heart Diseases (APRECOR), Guatemala City, Guatemala

Reviewer comments: Although the predicted death rate from tobacco is high in Latin America, there is a paucity of data on the impact of the tobacco epidemic on disadvantaged population groups, especially among indigenous peoples. In northwest Argentina, Andean youths' ever (50%) and current smoking rates (21%) are higher than for youth of European descent (42% and 11% respectively). This study showed that there is a relationship between the context in which the use of psychoactive substances takes place and the social impact of that behavior. Smoking prevention programs targeting indigenous youth could benefit from empirical findings of studies like this one that assist in the identification of cultural factors that may enhance youth resilience to pressures to smoke. The authors of the study have suggested ways that these indigenous worldviews that support respect and reverence for ritual use of tobacco can be integrated into smoking prevention programs.

Purpose of study: To identify Andean youth's beliefs regarding ceremonial tobacco use and to discuss potential applications of findings in tobacco control interventions.

Location of study: Argentina

Study design: The study was conducted in the Province of Jujuy among 202 boys and girls, age 10 to 20 years, living in rural and urban areas. Individual semi-structured interviews about ceremonial and recreational smoking beliefs and behaviors were conducted with participants in all 16 districts of Jujuy. The world of beliefs and meanings became accessible by asking youth to focus on tangible experiences regarding the Pachamama ceremony. This ceremony is widespread in the Andes and it is associated with the agrarian cycle and its purpose is to give thanks for what Mother Earth has provided. Concepts such as reciprocity, the unity of material and spiritual realms, and the complementary nature of opposite forces were linked to beliefs about ceremonial tobacco use.

Results: Three domains for understanding smoking behavior beliefs and norms were identified including mechanisms of production, conceptual tenants and behavioral expressions. Youth perceptions of the historical continuity of the Pachamama ceremony are relevant since they provide a sense of coherence and belonging, a critical factor in the establishment of group identity during adolescence. In the ritual context, tobacco acquires magical and supernatural characteristics. The power of tobacco is visualized, felt, and internalized as adults perform the rituals or, on occasion, explain the properties of tobacco. Lit cigarettes set around the ceremonial opening provide a venue for communication with Mother Earth. At this time the magical forces of tobacco are released in the smoke and require respect and care in handling. The interviews conducted among youths confirmed that the ritual use of cigarettes is far removed from the secular and careless manner in which cigarettes are used in recreational settings for the simple goal of immediate pleasure seeking.

Additional References:
E Alderete, C Kaplan, S Gregorich, R Mejia, E Perez-Stable. 2009. Smoking behavior and ethnicity in Jujuy, Argentina: Evidence from a low income youth sample. Substance Use and Misuse, 2009; 44(5): 632-646. http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/95829682-98231117/content~db=all~content=a910364906~tab=content~order=page

E Dornelas, C Patten, E Fischer, P Decker, et al. Ethnic variation in socioenvironmental factors that influence adolescent smoking. Journal of Adolescent Health, 2005; 36(3): 170-177. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15737771