The general Australian population has experienced a steady decrease in smoking prevalence over the past 30 years to less than 20% in 2004 with a target set for less than 9% by 2020.1 Tobacco use in Indigenous Australians is disproportionately higher with approximately 51% of Indigenous men and 47% of Indigenous women reporting regular smoking.2 These high levels have changed little since the mid-1990s. 3 In some remote communities, for example, in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, a number of studies have documented rates of between 68% 4 and 83% 5 in men and between 60% 4 and 73% 6 in women. These very high rates have also remained unchanged since the mid-1980's.
5Most tobacco interventions such as individual support, counselling and public education, in mainstream populations have not been available or rigorously evaluated in Indigenous communities.Recent COAG investments to 'tackle smoking' 7 are currently being implemented to address the high rates of smoking in these populations. Implementation will include workforce development, social marketing and the employment of tobacco workers.
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