Don't Follow the Smoke-Listening to the Tobacco Experiences and Attitudes of Urban Aboriginal Adolescents in the Study of Environment on Aboriginal Resilience and Child Health (SEARCH)

Christina L Heris; Mandy Cutmore; Catherine Chamberlain; Natalie Smith; Victor Simpson; Simone Sherriff; Darryl Wright; Kym Slater; Sandra Eades

doi:10.3390/ijerph20054587

Don't Follow the Smoke-Listening to the Tobacco Experiences and Attitudes of Urban Aboriginal Adolescents in the Study of Environment on Aboriginal Resilience and Child Health (SEARCH)

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Mar 4;20(5):4587. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20054587.

Authors

Christina L Heris^{1

2}, Mandy Cutmore³, Catherine Chamberlain⁴, Natalie Smith⁵, Victor Simpson⁵, Simone Sherriff³, Darryl Wright⁶, Kym Slater⁶, Sandra Eades²

Affiliations

¹ National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research, Australian National University, Acton, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
² Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
³ Sax Institute, Glebe, Sydney, NSW 2037, Australia.
⁴ Indigenous Health Equity Unit, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
⁵ Riverina Medical and Dental Aboriginal Corporation, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.
⁶ Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, Airds, Sydney, NSW 2560, Australia.

Abstract

Preventing smoking among young Aboriginal people is important for reducing health inequities. Multiple factors were associated with adolescent smoking in the SEARCH baseline survey (2009-12) and discussed in a follow-up qualitative study that aimed to inform prevention programs. Twelve yarning circles were facilitated by Aboriginal research staff at two NSW sites in 2019 with 32 existing SEARCH participants aged 12-28 (17 female, 15 male). Open discussion around tobacco was followed by a card sorting activity, prioritising risk and protective factors and program ideas. The age of initiation varied by generation. Older participants had established smoking in their early adolescence, whereas the current younger teens had little exposure. Some smoking commenced around high school (from Year 7), and social smoking increased at age 18. Mental and physical health, smoke-free spaces and strong connections to family, community and culture promoted non-smoking. The key themes were (1) drawing strength from culture and community; (2) how the smoking environment shapes attitudes and intentions; (3) non-smoking as a sign of good physical, social and emotional wellbeing; and (4) the importance of individual empowerment and engagement for being smoke-free. Programs promoting good mental health and strengthening cultural and community connections were identified as a priority for prevention.

Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health; adolescents; community program; health promotion; smoking prevention; tobacco.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Child Health*
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Intention
Male
New South Wales
Tobacco Use*
Young Adult

Grants and funding

This work was supported through grants to the Study of Environment on Aboriginal Resilience and Child Health (SEARCH) from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC: grant numbers 358457, 512685, 1023998, and 1035378), The NSW Ministry of Health, Australian Primary Care Research Institute (APHCRI), beyondblue and the Rio Tinto Aboriginal Fund. CH received a PhD scholarship from the Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, funded through the NHMRC partnership centre grant scheme (Grant ID: GNT9100001, GNT9100003), with the NHMRC, Australian Government Department of Health, ACT Health, Cancer Council Australia, NSW Ministry of Health, South Australian Department for Health and Wellbeing, Tasmanian Department of Health, and VicHealth. Support for associated data collection costs was provided under the NHMRC-funded Centre of Research Excellence in Aboriginal Child and Adolescent Health (CRE REACH, Grant ID: 1135273). CC receives an NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (1161065).