Smoking Cessation Program

As part of the Federal Government’s $14.5 million ‘Indigenous Tobacco Control Initiative’, the Sunshine Coast Division of General Practice and North Coast Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health (NCACCH) have been selected to develop a three year ‘Indigenous Smoking Cessation Pilot Program’.

The project will develop, implement and evaluate a comprehensive, regional, multi-faceted smoking cessation and tobacco control program aiming to reduce smoking prevalence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living within the NCACCH footprint by at least 5%.

The project is due to:

  • draw on existing evidence and generate new evidence about smoking cessation and tobacco control for Aboriginal people;
  • be based on a model of collaboration and partnership;
  • be integrated and linked with existing programs and infrastructure, and
  • use a “whole of community” approach.

Once planning has been approved, the project is due to provide all smoking cessation interventions and support at no cost to the client.

Training for Health Professionals related to Smoking Cessation offered by the Division includes:

  • ‘Clearing the Smoke’ - this training brings an understanding of clinical issues associated with smoking cessation; the science behind nicotine addiction; the importance of brief intervention; current evidence for using pharmacological agents and how to provide an optimum smoking service;
  • ‘SmokeCheck’ Tobacco Brief Intervention - this training offers all health professionals working with Indigenous clients a sound and time efficient clinical tool for smoking cessation assessment and intervention. Course participants gain a better understanding on the impact that smoking/tobacco is having on Indigenous Australians including its harmful physical effects. They also gain skills in Brief Intervention, Motivational Interviewing and Stages of Change all of which are transferable to other types of behaviour change eg alcohol, diet, exercise.

QUIT VISIT

For further information about this project you may contact Renate Millonig on 5456 8888 or rmillonig@scdgp.org.au.

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