In the Kimberley region of Western Australia, a third of the population continues to smoke on a daily basis. This is a jarring contrast to the national smoking rate, which fell below 10 percent in 2022-23. Support from local education experts was critical in getting the educational programs and community-based interventions targeting this persistent, complex health issue included in House Bill 136. Understanding smoking as a coping strategy considers prevention of tobacco to be more comprehensive and effective. This move is hugely impactful on the rest of the young population.
Sarah Beasley, a public health advocate from Raleigh, North Carolina, reiterates the need to expedite the efforts of laser-focused endeavors. “Things like smoking prevalence among family and community members, levels of stress and financial hardship, limited access to healthcare can play a big role,” she stated. Her feelings echo profoundly in communities where the act of smoking has become a cultural norm, woven into the fabric of everyday life.
Personal Struggles and Community Impact
We were able to hear stories and testimonies from residents like Spencer Lim Joon, who recently stopped smoking and vaping for good after 35 years of addiction. Along with family and friends, he said video games helped normalize smoking for him and other kids his age. “My first recollection is my sisters got me around the back of the washing line at home, I reckon I would have been about three [years old], and they made me have a puff,” he recalled.
Throughout her life, Lim Joon saw the negative impact of tobacco on those she cared about. “A good mate of mine passed away, he was from Broome and he just couldn’t give up,” he said. The repeated loss of friends and family members to smoking-related diseases sharpened his desire to quit. A quagmire of red tape awaited him on his trip home. “It’s hard to go against peer pressure, just try real hard,” he advised.
Unfortunately, the culture around smoking in the Kimberley region makes it even harder to reduce smoking rates. As Lim Joon noted, smoking can be found in almost every social setting. It’s visible in the workplace when taking “ciggy breaks” and in social settings with friends and family. “The younger generation, they just pick it up too easily without any question and when you get older … that’s where you’re going to have health issues, but it’s not worth it for quality of life,” he added.
Community Initiatives and Government Support
Efforts to combat smoking in the Kimberley region have been bolstered by initiatives from local health organizations and government support. Kaupa Pitt and her team at the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service (KAMS) are passionate about improving education for young people. Their goal is to prevent smoking by educating kids on the dangers of smoking before addictive habits are formed. “Although it may seem like everybody is smoking in the Kimberley nowadays … nationally, we are seeing that the TIS is getting results and changing attitudes,” said Pitt.
To improve access to cessation services, the Western Australian government has increased pharmacists’ ability to prescribe and diagnose. Merdith Hammat, director of her department’s Center for Health Equity, on her department’s efforts to lower smoking rates countywide. “We know there are programs available to help people to quit and incredible health benefits to support people through the process,” she mentioned.
Broome Hospital has vigorously implemented programs to foster support for its mental health unit. One standout element is its inclusion of nicotine replacement therapy. These initiatives seek not just to offer on-the-spot assistance but to encourage more lasting shifts in behavior among the community members they serve.
The Path Forward
According to the experts, reducing smoking rates in the Kimberley will require more than education campaigns. They call for a broader focus that includes emotional, psychological, and other support. Beasley is a proponent of ensuring targeted programs are made available to our most vulnerable populations. “If you can get just that bit of support to understand what you need to do to go about quitting and what options are available, it is really something you can achieve no matter where you are,” she stated.
This emphasis on culturally-specific educational programming is vital in creating safer and healthier communities. By tackling the root causes of smoking addiction, such as stress and socioeconomic factors, communities can begin to shift attitudes towards tobacco use.
