I have asked this question in the past many times and majority of the
times the answers I got from the individuals I asked were (YES) Hmong
should NOT use cigarette in wedding or for a better word (should NOT
promote the use of cigarette).

Then I asked myself the following question. If the majority of them
about (99%%) of them agree that “Hmong should NOT promote the use of
cigarette” then Why Hmong continue to uses cigarette in wedding and
label it as (Qav Nov Qav Tswv) and some folks even go as far as
referring to as part of the culture. Which I believe history will not
support their theory especially the history of cigarette itself.

So, should Hmong BANS the use of cigarette in wedding ceremony? I
believe we should what about you? What is your opinion?

On Jun 19, 8:02 pm, yang...@gmail.com wrote:

On Jun 19, 8:40 pm, Mogee hotmail.com> wrote:

On Jun 20, 5:42 pm, "lis...@lycos.com" lycos.com> wrote:

On Jun 19, 9:02 pm, yang...@gmail.com wrote:

On Jun 21, 12:08 am, brushoff aol.com> wrote:

lisnom,

it comes with self-restraint. many hmong weddings now don't even
require alcohol. one of my brothers wedding was done using soda pop.
the cigarettes was just customary (given) and not even smoked. oh yea,
and we are ntseeg hmoob tej dab qub, not you hmong christians who
ntseeg neeg daj hau tej dab qub. (remember, like zab aka anti said,
christianity is not 'dab tshiab', as it is 2,000 years old and based
on 2,000+ history).

this has nothing to do with religion, but everything to do with
health, culture, and education. to impose a 'ban' would not be
necessary if we had education on the dangers. there should be
government programs to sponsor campaigns against smoking in the hmong
community. also, the government is also imposing a 'ban' on smoking
with restrictions in some states on where you may smoke and with
increased taxes on cigarettes. i heard new york and new jersey are two
tuff states on taxing cigarettes.

On Jun 20, 6:42 pm, "lis...@lycos.com" lycos.com> wrote:

Friend Yangkou,
Originally, tobacco is used in a pre-wedding negotiation (not at the
actual wedding ceremony). Due to the availability and convenience,
cigarette is used instead. However, this has nothing to do with
promoting cigarette, it is simply a traditional way of being polite
and showing respect.

It is not necessary to ask for a ban on this while the national laws
allow us to sell, trade and smoke, don't you think so? Most smoker
especially the young adult don't even know that tobacco or cigarette
are used in the process of Hmong wedding negotiation, how can you call
this a promotion of cigarette? Is there any study conducted by anyone
that Hmong children smoke because of this traditional way of usage?

I know you have good intention, but in my opinion, it is not necessary
to ban the use of cigarette in a wedding negotiation.

HL

On Jun 20, 3:42 pm, "lis...@lycos.com" lycos.com> wrote: