Our Space Smoke-Free

Public

The aim of this project is to decrease the level of Environmental Tobacco Smoke that the Wuchopperen Health Service Community is exposed to by 100% by July 2010, and thereby eliminating the incidence of smoking at Wuchopperen Health service by 100%.

'Our Space Smoke Free' project will implement and evaluate the following five strategies:

The creation of a smoke free policy
To build partnerships
To raise awareness of the health effects to Environmental Tobacco Smoke exposure and the dangers of smoking
Provide a smoking cessation support program for staff and community members
Provide brief intervention education to staff

Organisation or Department

Wuchopperen Health Service

State

Queensland

Project Timeframe

This project is funded from 2010 and will be ongoing

Our organisation will also be receiving funding in 2010/11 to employ a Tobacco Action Worker under the Closing the Gap Chronic Disease Package which will enable us to develop and implement additional programs and resources to support the goal of this project as well as reduce the level of smoking amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Project Activities

The Wuchopperen Health Service Smoking management policy was developed and came into affect on the July 2010. This policy applies to all staff, clients and visitors utilising the service.

Wuchopperen will work on strengthening partnerships within our service and with the wider community around Tobacco control. The Health Service is raising awareness of the health effects of exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke and the dangers of smoking. It will do this through a range of measures including:

an official launch of 'Our Space Smoke Free' at out NAIDOC community day,
promoting 'Our space Smoke Free' at past and future community events.
Media releases,
broadcasting on WHS telephone system,
website and waiting room displays of the exposure of ETS and dangers of smoking.
Handouts, brochures and education sessions through community services and schools on the exposure to ETS and the dangers of smoking.

In addition Wuchopperen will provide a smoking cessation support program for staff and community members who are wanting to quit. Support includes education on the dangers of smoking, strategies to quit smoking, strengthening coping skills including physical activity and nutrition and relapse prevention.

Partner Organisations

Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) provides the 'Time to Quit' program.

What in particular helped the project?

Getting the support of Wuchopperen's staff and community

What in particular didn't work so well?

'Our space smoke free' project plan is in the early stages of implementation.

Summary of Findings and Recommendations

This will be available in 2011

Project Evaluation

WHS will evaluate the process, impact and outcome of our goal and objectives in 2011

Project Resources and Publications

Below are links to resources that we have developed so far. More resources are being developed as part of the plan and will be made available as they are implemented. We use SmokeCheck resources as well as 'Smokin No Way' which is a teacher resource.