Hi TIS Teams! This month, I’m excited to share a quick update about the Oceania Tobacco Control Conference, which was hosted on the lands of the Kombumerri people of the Yugambeh Language Region (Gold Coast, Queensland) on the 23rd-25th October. Held every two years, this was the first get together since 2019 because of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s conference theme was ‘REIGNITE THE FIGHT’. This powerful conference brought together tobacco control researchers, advocates, policymakers, service providers, and community programs from Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island nations. It was inspiring to see a strong representation of Indigenous peoples at the conference and so many of you representing the TIS program! Congratulations to the TIS teams who presented a talk or poster and thank you for sharing your journey, experiences, and learnings at the conference. Hearing your success stories was a highlight of the conference for many this year.

Take Home Message for TIS Teams:

Everyone has a right to good health and wellbeing. The tobacco industry interferes with this right and continues to twist the facts about the products it makes to their own advantage. It’s time to change the narrative, be courageous, and stand up for the truth. This conference showed that the TIS program is on the right track and the work you’re doing is best practice (evidence based). Keep using the power of community and culture in your fight to eliminate nicotine addiction. We know this works. Connect with other TIS teams and local partners to share knowledge, experiences, and strategies. Build relationships and learn from each other. Together, we can strengthen our actions to combat tobacco industry interference and make a real difference!

Click on the thumbnail to the right to read the full roundup.

For more of Connie the Clever Cockie’s updates, visit the Tobacco Control News page.