The Navajo Nation Council this month is considering imposing a ban on use of commercial tobacco in public buildings and shared air spaces at outdoor events, the Associated Press reported July 18.

Tobacco used for Native American ceremonial purposes would not fall under the ban, which is being cast as a preventive measure to keep members of the tribe from starting or continuing smoking. "It's a healthy decision," said David Begay, a medicine man in Ganado, Ariz. "I would say the majority of Navajo people probably support it."

But leaders in the Indian gaming industry worry about the impact such a ban would have on business at casinos. The first Navajo casino is scheduled to open later this year, and the head of the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise believes a ban on smoking could result in a loss of at least 18 percent in gross income at the facility. At present, plans are for about 80 percent of the casino's space to be designated smoke-free.

Few tribes around the country have implemented smoking bans. The Blackfeet Nation and Fort Peck Tribe in Montana both do not allow public use of commercial tobacco. The proposed ban for the Navajo tribe is being supported by the tribe's Division of Health and a group of medicine men.

High smoking rates among young people on the reservation are seen as driving the policy initiative. While about 28 percent of Navajo adult males and 17 percent of adult females smoke, smoking rates for youths in grades 6 through 12 are as high as 38 percent.