Is it okay to buy tobacco as a gift for a cultural presentation?

Assalamu alaikum, everyone. I'm a university student in North America, taking a course on indigenous studies. My group is organizing a presentation, and we invited an indigenous guest to share their experiences. They've asked us to bring tobacco as an offering. The person in my group who contacted them agreed on our behalf. Now I'm unsure if it's sinful for me to chip in for buying and giving this tobacco. I know normally we shouldn't deal with tobacco, but I'm torn because I don't want to seem like I'm putting my religious concerns above their cultural practices. What should I do? Would it be wrong to contribute money, even if I'm not the one actually purchasing it? Jazakum Allahu khayran.