Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) is a community-led program dedicated to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to make positive, smoke-free lifestyle choices. The program combines education, empowerment, and practical support to help individuals reduce or quit smoking, improve overall health and prevent smoking-related illnesses. By engaging with communities in culturally safe and meaningful ways, TIS encourages awareness of the health impacts of smoking while respecting cultural values and traditions.
Smoke-Free Futures Education Program
The Senior Smoke-Free Futures Education Program helps participants understand the harms of tobacco and vaping, empowering them to become community role models who promote smoke-free and vape-free spaces. The program explores the historical introduction of tobacco to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, highlighting its cultural impact and encouraging informed, healthy choices. Participants also learn evidence-bases strategies to support others in quitting and create positive change in their homes, schools and communities.
Challenge Our Mob, Change Our Message (COM) Project
As part of the program, participants develop a youth-led project aligned with the Deadly Places, Smoke-Free Spaces campaign. Projects, such as videos or artwork, allow participants to demonstrate their understanding of smoke-free strategies and share their message at school or in the community.
The program runs for six weekly sessions: Our History, Impacts of Smoking, Chemicals and Addiction, Passive Smoking, Quit Journey, and Deadly Places, Smoke-Free Spaces. Participants will:
- Understand the historical and cultural impacts of tobacco
- Recognize the health effects and addictive nature of smoking or vaping
- Know where to access quit supports and resources
- Use strategies to help others quit smoking or vaping
- Promote smoke-free and vape-free spaces in their comm
- Develop a localized smoke-free strategy for their school
Junior Smoke-Free Futures Education Program
– Years 4 to 6
The Junior Smoke-Free Futures Program supports young people in staying smoke-free and vape-free. Using age-appropriate content, the program explores the consequences of smoking, the benefits of choosing not to smoke, and the importance of smoke-free spaces. Through the 16-part animated series “Smokey Joe the Neighbor”, participants engage with culturally relevant characters and themes, combining education with entertainment. Each session includes episodes, group discussions, and activities focused on culture, leadership and personal wellbeing.
The program runs over six weekly sessions for students in years 4 to 6.
Participants will:
- Understand the history and cultural impact of tobacco on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Recognize the physical, social, and emotional effects of smoking
- Learn about the chemicals in cigarettes and their effects
- Identify strategies to prevent smoking and create smoke-free spaces
- Apply strategies to avoid second-hand and third-hand smoke
Senior Smoke-Free Futures Program
– Years 7 to 12
Our Senior Smoke-Free Futures Program supports high school students in Years 7–12 to make strong, informed decisions about living a healthy, smoke-free lifestyle. Delivered by Goolburri’s Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) team, the program provides culturally relevant education tailored to young people.
The program runs over six weekly sessions for students in years 7 to 12.
Participants will:
- The impacts of smoking, vaping, and second-hand smoke
- How commercial tobacco affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Building confidence to make smoke-free choices
- Understanding peer pressure and social influences
- The benefits of choosing a healthy, smoke-free future
Fees
No service fees are applied with our Tackling Indigenous Smoking programs. These are educational programs free of charge promoting knowledge and power. Please contact our team for further details or if you have any questions regarding fees.
Who Can Access This Program
This service is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, families and community members. No referrals are required. Please contact our team for further details or to make a booking.
Contact Details
Regions: Darling Downs, Southern Downs, Western Downs, Toowoomba and Goondiwindi
Call: (07) 4591 8000
Email: [email protected]
