Following CIRCA’s evaluation, the program strengthened its focus on population-level health promotion. Efforts were also directed towards activities targeting priority population groups, including pregnant women and people living in remote communities. In addition, the program committed to building the capacity of the TIS workforce to more effectively reduce the impact of smoking in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
During this funding period, the TIS program’s objectives were to:
Innovation grants were discontinued but other key TIS program components were retained, including:
Four new elements were added in the 2018–2021 fuding period:
During this period, 37 organisations were funded across all states and territories representing a mix of urban, regional and remote locations to broaden program reach.
TIS teams worked closely with communities to plan and deliver tailored, culturally relevant activities that reflected local priorities.
Teams ensured community engagement, maintained a regular presence, and used strength-based approaches to support positive change. Activities reported during this iteration:
CIRCA assessed how effectively best-practice, evidence-based activities were implemented, examined the extent to which program objectives were achieved, and identified opportunities for improvement. CIRCA’s recommendations to enhance the program’s impact included:
The ANU team analysed existing data and collected new information to measure changes in smoking behaviours, participation in tobacco control programs, and smoking-related attitudes and beliefs. The evaluation also explored how culture, trauma, and experiences of racism influence smoking and engagement with tobacco control efforts.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the delivery of TIS program activities in 2020 and 2021. Restrictions on movement and in-person contact limited community engagement and education activities, and in some cases, service resources and TIS team members were redeployed to respond to the pandemic. Despite these challenges, TIS teams made meaningful progress toward program objectives.
To adapt, teams greatly expanded social marketing and social media activities, which became the primary channels for reaching communities. These strategies proved effective in maintaining engagement, opened new opportunities for communication, and helped teams develop new skills.
During this period e-cigarette use (vaping) became an increasing concern, particularly among young people. In response to public health concerns, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced that from 1 October 2021, nicotine for use in e-cigarettes would require a prescription. This applied to nicotine e-cigarettes, nicotine pods, and liquid nicotine. Read more about the change.
At a national level, the introduction of the National Preventative Health Strategy 2021–2030 was an important milestone for the program. It recognises ending the tobacco epidemic as a priority for all Australian governments and reflects strong public support for measures to reduce tobacco-related harm.
Under this strategy the Australian Government has committed to reducing smoking rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to 27% or less by 2030.
Complementary policy at the state and territory level included the NSW Health Tobacco Strategy Work Plan 2019–2021 and the Northern Territory Tobacco Action Plan 2019–2023 (detailed below).
New South Wales (NSW) Health Tobacco Strategy Work Plan 2019–2021 supports the NSW Tobacco Strategy 2012–2021, with actions focused on addressing smoking in priority populations, protecting people from second-hand smoke, and integrating smoking cessation into routine clinical practice.
Northern Territory Tobacco Action Plan 2019–2023 aims to improve health outcomes by reducing tobacco-related harms through comprehensive tobacco control strategies.
Tackling Indigenous Smoking
info@tacklingindigenoussmoking.com.au
1800 662 447 (1800 NO CIGS) – Toll free
