Hi TIS Teams! This month I wanted to share a quick update on some of the latest evidence about the harms of vaping. Research in this area is growing rapidly, and new studies continue to shed light on how e-cigarettes (vapes) affect health. Most studies so far focus on short-term use, as vapes are still quite new. However, because they contain many of the same […]
Hi TIS Teams! In September, I had the opportunity to attend the Australian Public Health Conference on Dharawal Country (Wollongong), alongside a few colleagues from the NBPU TIS. This year’s theme, ‘Leadership and collaboration to connect a divided world’, highlighted how public health leadership, grounded in collaboration and community voice, can tackle complex challenges and reduce health inequities. Throughout the conference, there was a focus […]
Hi TIS Teams! I’m excited to share new findings from the Next Generation: Youth Wellbeing Study, led by distinguished Professor Sandra Eades AO. Their latest paper focuses on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth aged 10–15 years and explores what helps them choose not to smoke. Take home Message for TIS Teams The ages 10–15 years are a critical time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait […]
Hi TIS Teams! This month’s evidence update looks a little different. I wanted to share some best practice information about monitoring and evaluation. As you know, monitoring and evaluation is an important part of the TIS program and should be built into your activities from the start. A recent review highlights best practice approaches to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander evaluation. While the review is […]
Hi TIS Teams! This month, I’m excited to share a new paper written by a group of Indigenous academics and allies from Australia, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Turtle Island (United States of America). This important paper calls out how the tobacco industry uses dirty tactics to mislead the public, protect its profits, and interfere with public health action. By using terms like “harm reduction” and […]
Hi TIS Teams! Some big changes are coming to tobacco products in Australia from 1 July 2025. Tobacco products sold here will not only look different, but also taste different, feel different, be named differently, and only be sold in specific sizes and packaging. These changes are designed to make smoking less appealing and help more people quit. These national changes are part of Australia’s commitment […]
From the 1st of July 2025, tobacco products sold in Australia will change. These changes are designed to make smoking less appealing and help more people to quit. What’s changing? Flavours and add-ons banned No more misleading names New health warnings Standard shape and filter Standard pack sizes. Australia’s recent changes to tobacco product regulation are part of our commitment to the World Health Organization […]
Hi TIS Teams! This month, I’m excited to share a quick update about the Preventive Health Conference that I attended in April with a few NBPU TIS colleagues. Held on beautiful Ngunnawal Country, the theme of the conference was Prevention is Political, which highlighted that public health work isn’t just about what we do on the ground—it’s also influenced by politics, power, decision-making, and community […]
Hello TIS Teams! This month’s research roundup focuses on best practices for promoting smoke and vape-free environments. We know from the ‘Talking About the Smokes’ study and Indigenous-led ‘Mayi Kuwayu’ study that there is strong support among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for smoke-free environments. Creating and maintaining smoke and vape-free environments is important for achieving the aims of the TIS program, including: Preventing […]
Hello TIS teams! I’m back again this month for a quick update on the findings from the Koori Quit Pack study, which was led by Associate Professor Michelle Kennedy in 2022. Three exciting papers have recently been published with a focus on understanding how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who smoke can be better supported in their quit journey. While TIS does not deliver smoking […]
Hello TIS teams! Just a brief update from me this month. I really had to share an important new paper from the Next Generation Youth Wellbeing Study, led by Prof Sanda Eades AO. You might recall that Prof Eades was the inaugural winner of the Tom Calma Award at the Oceania Tobacco Control Conference held in the Gold Coast last October. This award recognised the […]
To round off the year, I wanted to share some research highlights from 2024. A consistent message this year has been about the success of community health programs developed by those who know community best – its members. Working with community members that know and trust you is vital for the TIS program, and something we know you already do. This evidence confirms the value […]
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 […]
This month I’d like to share the latest findings from the Generation Vape study. This research looks at changes in vaping and smoking behaviours over time among different groups, including youth and their parents. The latest findings from this study were published in June this year with a focus on the link between vaping and smoking uptake among Australian youth. While the study did include […]
Hi TIS Teams! Welcome to this month’s research roundup on strengthening health promotion to tackle Indigenous smoking. I am excited to share five papers that show how using ‘systems thinking’ and prioritising community engagement can improve health equity in tobacco control. Take Home Message for TIS Teams: Health promotion programs, like TIS, are essential for improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. […]
Hi TIS Teams! I’m excited to bring you this special update, sharing the key highlights from my experience at the Public Health Association of Australia Preventive Health Conference 2024 held in Garramilla (Darwin) on Larrakia Country. The conference was attended by health professionals and other stakeholders from across Australia. A key focus of the conference was exploring the many ways we can build preventive health […]
For this month’s research roundup, I decided to look at recent papers describing best practice messaging to promote smoking cessation for pregnant women. Although TIS does not deliver smoking cessation, we can still learn valuable lessons about effective health promotion messaging from smoking cessation research and practice. Take Home Message for TIS Teams: Prioritising culturally sensitive approaches when designing and promoting smoking cessation resources for […]
This month, I thought you would be interested to hear about the latest findings from the Australian Secondary Students’ Alcohol and Drug Survey (ASSAD), published in late December 2023. The survey includes questions about tobacco and e-cigarette use (vaping) as well as alcohol and other drugs. ASSAD is a national survey which is usually completed every three years by Australian secondary school students aged 12-17 […]
There are different ways people can quit smoking and choosing the best method will depend on individual preferences and experiences. Learning about different ways to quit and working out which method might work best is a key part of a person’s quit journey. Whilst TIS does not fund smoking cessation support, TIS workers still need up-to-date knowledge of the support available to people wanting to […]
Now that contracts are in place for the 2023-2026 funding period, I thought we should reflect on the value of population health promotion and its role in the fight against the harm caused by the tobacco Industry. In this research roundup, I share insights from the latest World Health Organization (WHO) report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2023 along with some recent examples of successful […]
