ASH Australia: 
information on tobacco 
and indigenous people

Calma to head Tackling Indigenous Smoking campaign
Feb 2010: Former Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma has been appointed as Australia's first National Co-ordinator for Tackling Indigenous Smoking. He says the campaign will need to recognise his people's distinct relationship with tobacco in order to attack their high (around 50%) smoking rate.  See  ABC news report 17/2/10 

NT indigenous "viral" smokefree campaign grabs attention
2009: A campaign combining anti-smoking health messages with Bollywood and rap music via mobile phones is proving popular in the Northern Territory. The campaign was started by Miwatj Health in northeastern Arnhem Land.   See  ABC news report 1/10/09 

Aboriginal smoking still double the national rate: ABS survey
2009: Adult smoking rate among Australia's indigenous population is still around 50% - no fall in ten years and still double the national rate. Latest figures and comparisons in the Australian Bureau of Statistics' latest national survey of Tobacco Smoking in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Population 2004-05.   See  summary   and  report

Indigenous tobacco strategy an urgent priority
2007:  ASH and the Heart Foundation called for urgent implementation of a comprehensive tobacco strategy with and for indigenous communities, after the release of figures showing indigenous smoking rates remaining at devastating levels.   See ASH / Heart Foundation release  including link to ABS report 

Winfield exploits Aboriginal site in ad campaign
2005: BAT's Winfield used Aboriginal special site Kata Tjuta in Central Australia in a German ad campaign - turning the site upside down to fit "Down Under" theme. Insensitive to Aboriginal people, especially since their smoking rates remain shockingly high. See Kata Tjuta ad  

RESOURCES

Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Tobacco Control (CEITC)
Website featuring smoking facts, history, research, projects, quitting resources, links and more - all appropriate to Aboriginal/TSI communities and health professionals working with them. See their tobacco control resource kit for health workers, Talkin' Up Good Air  

Indigenous tobacco cessation: Learning from each other
CEITC has published this report on the Oceania Tobacco Control 2009 Indigenous pre-conference workshop. The report details discussion sessions held at the workshop on sharing best practice ideas around smoking cessation and sharing best practice ideas around workforce development and sustainability.  Download the report here

Smokecheck 
NSW Health / Cancer Institute NSW / Sydney Uni School of Public Health project, aims to improve health and cut tobacco exposure by increasing quit rates of Indigenous health clients and healthcare workers. Conducts training workshops for health workers with Aboriginal clients. Click on above link for more info or register for a local workshop, or call them on (02) 9036 7113. See latest  SmokeCheck news  or  register  to receive your own newsletter

Aboriginal smoking rate statistics: ABS survey
2009: Latest figures and comparisons with  non-indigenous rates in the Australian Bureau of Statistics' latest national survey of Tobacco Smoking in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Population 2004-05.   See  summary   and  report

Indigenous Tobacco Control in Australia: Everybody's Business
2008 report from the National Indigenous Tobacco Control Research Roundtable held in Brisbane. Download  the report  which is from CEITC (below)

Indigenous smoking scoping study
2008 review of indigenous cessation studies prepared for the South Australian Department of Health.  See  abstract and download full pdf 

Quit campaign on mouth and throat cancer: resources
Quit Victoria has info for Aboriginal health workers, health professionals and Aboriginal organisations, communities and individuals about the dangers of mouth and throat cancers.  See order info and form  - go to page 3 of the order form. 

Quit also has resources on the new graphic pack health warnings available for indigenous health and community workers.  For information see www.quit.org.au - maybe call them and ask for their Cessation Settings Manager or  Aboriginal Project Officer.

Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association (AIDA) 
Non- profit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation striving for excellence in health and wellbeing. Lots of good info and ideas.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: report to NACCHO
Nearly  54% of ATSI people aged 14 and over are regular smokers - over double the national average. 2002 report to NACCHO highlights the urgent need for action.

Healing Time (Stages 2 & 3)
Find out about this drug education resource geared towards the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary students - from the NSW Dept of Education and Training in consultation with the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group.

 Page last updated 12/8/10