November 2016
A warm hello
from the Tackling Indigenous Smoking team. We’ve had a busy month taking
part in the successful Breathe Easy program in Queanbeyan, as well as organising
our champions for the Butt Out Boondah commercials which are due for production on the 5– 8 December in Goulburn, Queanbeyan and Yass. The commercials will launch on channels Nine, Go and Gem in the new year. Remember
to keep an eye out for and support your community champions as they encourage others to strengthen their will to Butt Out Boondah for good.
“Smoking has been my
escape from the things
that I have been through in
It’s never too late
my life. Sometimes my
Whilst production is in the works remember, if you have given up smoking, you
too are a role model for your community. Smoking is one of the most difficult
habits to kick. Research shows that it is harder to quit smoking than to quit using drugs like heroin. If you have succeeded in quitting smoking, then you should
be celebrating your hard work. You’ve learned how to beat your addiction and
create a healthier future not only for yourself, but for your loved ones too. You
can help others quit smoking by sharing your story and what worked for you. It
is important to bear in mind however that what works for you, may not work
for someone else. We should honour everyone’s journey and support them as
they learn more about themselves as they attempt to butt out boondah.
emotions get the better of
Festive season blues
Christmas can be a lonely time for some. Emotions, like sadness and loneliness
can trigger you to smoke. Help is always available. If you’re finding it difficult to
cope, contact Quitline 13 78 48 or Lifeline 13 11 14. You are never alone.
me. I don’t know any other
way. My parents and
grandparents did the
same. It’s like they medicated themselves with cigarettes. We need to find
healthier ways to cope with
our problems.”
- Butt Out Boondah Champion
Bonnie and the Tackling Indigenous Smoking Team
In This Issue
 Coordinator’s welcome
 Helping your teenagers to butt
out boondah
 Thinking of quitting? Series—
Part One
 Upcoming events
 Thank you
Stress and loneliness at Christmas can trigger people to smoke. Help is always available.
Talking to teenagers about anything can be like talking to a brick wall. Try these strategies to help your teenager butt out boondah.
Helping your teenager to butt out boondah
Smoking can damage young lungs in just a short period of time. Learn the science behind smoke
damage in teenagers and the five D’s to help your son or daughter to butt out boondah for good.
The sooner you help your teenager to butt out boondah, the better. According to studies, evidence shows that smoking during
the teenage years causes dramatic and lifelong DNA damage in the lungs. Young smokers, including passive smokers, could be
at permanently higher risk of developing lung cancer, even if they quit.
Damage to the body from smoking starts right away. Researchers have found that the younger the age that smoking begins, the
more DNA damage occurs. These experts agree that DNA changes in the lung tissue occur when chemicals in tobacco smoke
fuse with genes in the DNA and cause mutations that can significantly increase the likelihood of cancer.
Several studies have found that students who smoke tobacco are also more likely to use other drugs, become involved in physical altercations, carry weapons, attempt suicide and engage in high-risk sexual behaviours. As a parent, you play a pivotal role
in helping your teen to quit, and these are some serious reasons to help your teenager butt out boondah.
How you can help your teen to butt out boondah
If you smoke, quit!
Set an example. Kids learn from the examples that their parents and other influential adults set in their lives. If you have
already quit, share your experiences with your child. Share with your son or daughter how you were able to quit, even
though it was tough. Encourage them to do so in a non-threatening and supportive way.
Be a detective.
When talking to your child, find out why he or she is using tobacco. You may learn that your son or daughter is under
pressure from peers to smoke, to keep their weight down or to relax. Learning about your child’s pressures to smoke is
good starting off point for developing some healthier alternatives.
Be there to support your teen when they quit.
Nicotine withdrawal strikes younger people too. Share the five D’s to help your child through the early days of quitting:

Delay: teach that the cravings go away eventually.

Deep breath: Tell your child to take a few calming breaths.

Drink water: Advise your teen to drink water, which will help flush out the nicotine.

Do something else: Help your child find an activity that they will enjoy.

Discuss: Have your teen talk about his or her thoughts and feelings.
Thinking about quitting smoking?
Introducing: Quitskills
Like all Cancer Council programs,
Quitkskills, operated by the Cancer Council of South Australia,
exists not only to help people
touched by cancer, but to prevent
and manage smoking-related cancer into the future.
The Quitskills educators are committed to providing educational
programs designed to inform the
community about cancer prevention.
The Quitskills course aims to find
new ways of reaching people and
cultures that have not been impacted by the mainstream efforts
to reduce tobacco use. For Aboriginal people in Australia, particularly
in the Southern Tablelands where
smoking rates are the highest in
New South Wales for expectant
mothers, the rates of smoking
remain double that of the nonIndigenous population.
“Clearly what is working to reduce
smoking rates for the broader
community isn’t working for some
cultural and disadvantaged groups
– the message just isn’t getting
through, or isn’t translating into
people taking action to quit.
Part one—Dealing with Intense Emotions
By: Lou Jayleigh
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Quitskills Team
Cancer Council South Australia
Often people smoke cigarettes when they are experiencing intense emotions. These can
be both pleasant and unpleasant emotional feelings. Feelings such as being stressed,
bored, happy, celebrating, sad or satisfied are frequently described by smokers as times
they look for a cigarette.
There are many ways we can learn to work with our feelings without the use of cigarettes. If you are starting your quit journey, planning ahead is the best thing you can do.
This plan is the key to success, which will determine what you will do, who will support
you and what your goals are. A plan can ensure your readiness for a big change that is
about to be made.
It might be helpful to consider some of these ideas.

Talk about your emotions. Tell a friend, family member or call Quitline to talk about
With tobacco being responsible for
1 in 5 Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander deaths in Australia, we
urgently need to get the message
through about the dangers of
smoking” says educator Lou
Jayleigh.

how you are feeling, this can often help.
Take some slow, deep breaths. Deep breathing will slow down your body and quiet

your mind.
Exercise within your capabilities. Physical activity is a great way to handle emotions.
“Tobacco products will kill one in
two long term users, and now that
we understand the devastating
impact smoking has, we have a
responsibility to broaden the reach
of that message, to ensure it is
heard and understood by every
smoker and their community.”

Exercising causes your brain to release a range of natural chemicals in the brain that
help us to feel good.
Listen to your favourite music.

Eat healthy food and stay well hydrated.
The Cancer Council’s educators
host Quitskills training to help
people quit smoking, but in a way
that resonates with Indigenous
communities. “There is no point
doing things the way we always
have if it simply isn’t working in the
communities. We need to reach
Aboriginal people on their own
terms and in ways they feel most
comfortable’ says Lou.
Be creative and flexible with your plan. There are many ideas and options that can work.
The plan will help you to tell yourself ‘I can deal with this emotion’. Remind yourself of
the reasons for quitting and that you are supported by teams of health workers ready to
assist you on a successful quitting journey!
To learn more about Quitskills
training in your area, please contact Bonnie Fell on 0438 304 493.
Image: Cancer Council SA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Quitskills Team and Quitline Staff working on tools to assist
smokers identify their strengths and capabilities.
Upcoming Events
January 2017

Launch of Butt Out Boondah commercials and webpage featuring our champion’s stories

January 19: Tackling Indigenous Smoking Training
February 2017

General Practitioner training

Cooma;

Goulburn;

Queanbeyan; and

Yass
March 2017

Health and community outreach workers Tackling Indigenous
Thank you
The Tackling Indigenous Smoking team would like to
thank the following champions for their dedication to the
Butt Out Boondah campaign in their roles as community
champions:
Delise Freeman
Dawnie Martin
Robyn Holten
Annie Puime
Tim Berry
Peter Rose
Cassandra Piltz
Serrina Davis
Together with strong leaders, role models and advocates
such as yourselves, we can continue to encourage our
communities to Butt Out Boondah for good.
The Tackling Indigenous Smoking team value your continued contribution to the program and recognise your determination to support your communities and help people
strengthen their will to butt out boondah for good.
A heartfelt thank you from Bonnie, Malcolm, Jessica and
Grand Pacific Health.
Smoking workshops
Contact Us
Queanbeyan Office
Ground Floor, 34 Lowe Street,
Queanbeyan
Goulburn Office
39 Goldsmith street, Goulburn
If you’re contemplating quitting and need someone to talk to, please call Aboriginal Quitline on
13 78 48 www.iquitnow.gov.au
Butt Out Boondah Coordinator:
Bonnie Fell
0438 304 493
[email protected]
Visit us on the web www.gph.org.au
YOU’RE STONGER THAN YOU
THINK
www.facebook.com/grandpacifichealth
Breathe Easy Exercise Program
Supported by Grand Pacific Health & NSW Aboriginal Health
Smoking Education
Breathe easy is a smoking education and fitness program run in partnership by Grand Pacific Health’s Tackling
Indigenous Smoking Queanbeyan team and personal trainer Wendy Brookman.
The program regularly invites and features guest speakers such as the St John’s Ambulance Service, Aboriginal
Quitline and more.
The program consists of one hour of exercise designed for people of all fitness levels and abilities and concludes with a 15 minute health education session.
Promoting good health in community
The Breathe Easy program provides participants with relevant and interesting health education sessions that
aim to close the gap and improve the health of Aboriginal people in Queanbeyan and surrounds.
The education sessions deliver information on and support for smoking cessation including, smoking in pregnancy, environmental smoke—including the dangers and effects of second, third and fourth hand tobacco
smoke.
The program is delivered in a weekly session over a 7-week period for women in the Queanbeyan region.
To date, the program has attracted an average 22 participants per session.
For further information or to register your interest please contact Skyan Fernando 0467 780 353
or Malcolm Timbery-Thornton 0437 673 916