title: Iqmik: a form of smokeless tobacco used among Alaska natives.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a homemade form of smokeless tobacco known as Iqmik used among Alaska Natives residing in western Alaska.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individual and small-group interviews were conducted with 23 adult Alaska Natives. The major themes from the interview data were summarized. A chemical analysis was conducted of the alkalinity of a sample of fungus ash used to prepare Iqmik.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Few adverse health effects of using Iqmik were reported. The alkalinity of the sample of fungus ash was high (pH=10.9).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high alkalinity of Iqmik may contribute to the higher rates of tobacco use in this population.
authors.affiliation: Office of Alaska Native Health Research, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA. ccrenner@anmc.org
authors.forename: Caroline C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Renner
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Enoch
authors.forename: Christi A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Patten
authors.forename: Jon O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Ebbert
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Hurt
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Moyer
authors.forename: Ellen M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Provost
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000413:Alaska; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D004930:Inuit; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry