Tackling Tobacco

While smoking rates have declined to 14.8% in the general population, the proportion of people who smoke in priority populations is significantly higher. Priority populations with high smoking rates include:

• People with low income or who are currently unemployed
• People experiencing homelessness
• People living with mental illness
• People in contact with the criminal justice system
• People with substance use disorders
• Aboriginal people
• people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and/or queer
• people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

We have worked with over 220 community services in the non-government, not for profit sector to achieve best practice tobacco policies and practices that support staff and people who access their services to quit. Some of these organisations include Mission Australia, Neami National, Salvation Army and Life Without Barriers. We also work with peak bodies such as the Mental Health Coordinating Council, Network of Alcohol and Other Drugs Agencies, and the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council on dissemination of best practice and sector-wide initiatives.

There are many reasons to tackle tobacco within your organisation. Addressing smoking provides real benefits to staff and people who access services.

Additionally, community services are well placed to address tobacco because you:

• Have existing connections with priority populations within NSW
• Are familiar and skilled in promoting positive behavioural change with people who access your service
• Have a commitment to the values of social justice, fairness and equity
• Have a commitment to improving the wellbeing and opportunities of people who access your service

We’re with you every step of the way.