Smokefree leadership among the Yolŋu peoples of East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory: a qualitative study

Abstract

This qualitative study examined smokefree leadership among the Yolŋu people, Indigenous landowners of East Arnhem Land. Despite disproportionately high smoking prevalence, the study found that most people enacted smokefree leadership within families and communities. While there was broad concern about not impinging on the autonomy of others, Indigenous health workers regularly advised clients, family and community members to quit smoking. This followed a general belief that the issue of smoking was best raised by health workers, rather than traditional leaders. Protecting children from second-hand smoke and preventing smoking initiation was important to all participants irrespective of their smoking status. An enduring and highly valued cultural connection to ŋarali’ (tobacco) remains an essential part of the sacred practices of the funeral ceremony, an important and unique social utility. The study found consensus among participants that this would not change. Navigating traditional connections to ŋarali’ in a context where most people are still addicted to commercial tobacco is challenging and requires respectful and culturally compelling approaches. Tobacco control initiatives with the Yolŋu should therefore utilise existing smokefree leaders within the social context in which ŋarali’ is valued and used, an approach that may resonate with other Indigenous Australian nations and communities.

The picture of smoking in my mind: a need for effective anti-smoking public service announcements based on the self-construals of smokers

“…Therefore, these drawings showed the picture of smoking in smokers’ minds in terms of combining the self-construal aspects of the smokers and their smoking behaviours. The symbolic meanings of a cigarette should be considered in understanding what smokers are being asked to give up if they quit (6). Drawing sensitively on such symbolic meanings could enrich the contents of PSAs and deal with the deeper aversions to quitting.…”

“…To develop effective health messages and increase campaign success, message features and how messages are processed must be understood (4). Much research has considered matching the ideal message with the cultural factors of an intended audience (5,6). Congruence between message content and the audience is a vital part of all health communication and specifically anti-smoking PSAs (7).…”

Protocol for iSISTAQUIT: Implementation phase of the supporting indigenous smokers to assist quitting project

“…Thus, it is important that a targeted smoking cessation program prepares the health professional to be sensitive to the cultural and psychosocial context of tobacco smoking and avoid shaming women for smoking in pregnancy [ 23 ]. While tobacco smoking is largely commercial in nature by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia, there are some populations that may have ceremonial reference to tobacco, such as the Yolŋu people of East Arnhem land [ 24 ] and the use of a nicotine-containing plant called pituri, that is chewed [ 25 ].…”