This World No Tobacco Day, Wednesday 31 May, Cancer Council ACT is ensuring everyone has access to tobacco reduction supports.
Despite the ACT sitting at an overall smoking rate of 9.1 per cent, in select groups with greater risk of health inequities, this rate skyrockets to 80 per cent.
The Tackling Tobacco program provides training, support and funding, delivered by Cancer Council ACT, to organisations working directly with members of the Canberra community.
Cancer Council ACT CEO Verity Hawkins said the community needs to recognise that this is a complex issue.
“Here in the ACT, we are seeing tobacco use rates at three to seven times higher for groups such the LGBTIQA+ community, those experiencing homelessness, persons living with a disability or mental illness, or who are imprisoned or recently released,” she said.
“We recognise that quitting smoking is not just a simple choice for some people, and that these groups need support to overcome strong chemical, social, cultural, and environmental factors that cause them to be more likely to smoke and to be at greater risk of harm from it.”
Meridian ACT is one organisation taking part in the Tackling Tobacco program.
Manager of HIV and Client Services at Meridian ACT, Marcus Bogie spoke of benefits the program would bring to their workplace culture, as well as their client support programs.
“We participate in Cancer Council ACT’s Tackling Tobacco program because we recognise that smoking rates within the LGBTIQA+ are higher than the general population.
“Research shows us that experiencing discrimination, trauma and social isolation are some of the most impactful reasons for taking up smoking.”
Tackling Tobacco is supported by the ACT Government under the ACT Health Promotion Grants Program.
Cancer Council ACT is seeking organisations within the local community service sector that provide services to priority groups that may be interested in participating in the Tackling Tobacco program in the ACT.
To find out more, visit actcancer.org/prevention/tobacco-and-e-cigarettes/tackling-tobacco
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