Chronicle - March 08.pdf - DHCS Digital Library

Publication ofThe Chronic Diseases NetworkQuarterly Tobacco Sales: Study Communities & Regional EnvironmentTOBACCO (tailor made cigarettes)TOBACCO (roll-your-own)Number2,500,0002,000,0001,500,0001,000,000500,0002,022,4351,648,255Grams250,000200,000150,000100,000201,960188,860050,00030 September 2007Quarter EndingRegional EnvironmentStudy Communities030 September 2007Quarter EndingRegional EnvironmentStudy CommunitiesPROJECT PROGRESSCommunity Engagement:• Visited Galiwin’ku, Ngukurr andKunbarllanjnja communities twice.• Wadeye has postponed its decision toparticipate.• Formal support received from councils.• Support of local health services, women’scentres, stores, schools and other communityagencies.• Some homelands/outstations want toparticipate.• Local endorsement of project team’s widecommunity engagement to date.• Involved local linguists to assist with projectnaming and identification of key concepts.PROJECT PROCESS (cont)Issues identified:• Need to overcome discouragement or shamedue to first relapse in smokers trying to quit.• Address community concerns regardingpassive smoking by children.• Increase awareness of harmful effects ofsmoking other than respiratory disease.• Lack of resources appropriate to eachcommunity (ie local languages, literacy level).• Chewing of tobacco (particularly by women).Data collection:• Monthly data from 6 tobacco retail outlets in 3communities. Fourth community ready toprovide relevant data.• Tobacco sales data from other stores in theregion have been obtained for comparison.• Community lists received from localgovernment & health services for selectingpeople for interview.Source:Queensland Health SmokecheckNEXT……• Provide feedback to communities and otherstakeholders of project progress.• Commence baseline interviews incommunities beginning February/March 2008.• Prepare for intervention launches in eachcommunity at staged intervals commencingJune 2008For more information contact:Jan RobertsonPhone: 07 40421635 Fax: 07 40421675Email: Jan.Robertson@jcu.edu.auJames Cook UniversitySchool of Public HealthPO Box 6811Cairns QLD 4870The Chronicle March 200811