Smoking behaviour and preferences for cessation support among clients of an Indigenous community-controlled health service
Reducing the prevalence of smoking among Indigenous Australians is a vital part of Australia’s aim to close the gap. This study used a questionnaire delivered in clinics in Southeast Queensland to investigate tobacco and e-cigarette use, knowledge of smoking related health effects, motivations to quit and interest in cessation aids. Almost half of the participants smoked daily (47%), but only a small amount of smokers had no intention to quit (8%). For current smokers, methods previously used to quit were abrupt cessation, nicotine replacement therapies, prescription medications and e-cigarettes. This study found that there was interest in accessing smoking cessation aids within this group, particularly if provided free of charge. Embedding smoking cessation assistance in a range of community-controlled health clinics could provide an opportunity to address the high rate of smokers among Indigenous Australians.
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