Tobacco.org

• Tobacco and Aboriginal people in NSW 

Tobacco use is a major cause of morbidity and mortality for Aboriginal people in NSW. Few interventions to reduce the harm resulting from tobacco use have been developed specifically for this population. However, brief interventions for smoking cessation, pharmacotherapies such as nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion and varenicline, quit groups and interventions aimed at reducing smoking by pregnant women and hospital inpatients are likely to be effective. Broader population interventions such as anti-tobacco advertising, price rises for tobacco products and prevention of sales to minors are also likely to be effective in reducing the harm resulting from tobacco use. . . .

Conclusion

There has been little research and evaluation of anti-tobacco interventions for Aboriginal people, and limited population-specific service delivery in tobacco control in NSW. The implementation of Smokecheck, a program designed to train health professionals working with Aboriginal smokers, is encouraging. While the role of specialist tobacco workers in Aboriginal communities requires evaluation, access to mainstream specialist tobacco workers and pharmacotherapies to assist cessation is important. Broader population health measures such as advertising campaigns and restrictions on smoking in public places are also likely to reduce the harm resulting from tobacco to Aboriginal people in NSW.

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