A groundbreaking Indigenous-led program developed by a Newcastle research team is set to make a national impact in tackling smoking and vaping among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The Which Way? Quit Pack initiative, pioneered by researchers at the University of Newcastle and led by Wiradjuri woman Associate Professor Michelle Kennedy, has received a $4.7 million grant from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to expand its reach across Australia.
The program has helped over 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people quit smoking and vaping, boasting some of the highest quit rates ever recorded in an Indigenous smoking cessation study.
With 34% of participants remaining smoke and vape-free at six months—compared to the previous 11%—the initiative’s success is its community-led approach, integrating Indigenous knowledges with evidence-based cessation techniques.
Participants receive a mailout pack containing culturally relevant health resources, information on various quit methods, and combination Nicotine Replacement Therapy (cNRT).
In addition, the program offers phone and text-based support from a trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team at the University of Newcastle, ensuring ongoing assistance throughout the quitting journey.
Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of chronic disease and premature death among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, contributing significantly to health disparities.
As Australia works towards the goal of reducing daily smoking rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to 27% or less by 2030, the Which Way? Quit Pack stands out as a vital tool in achieving this target. To find out more about the program, head to whichway.info.
