Tobacco smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death and as a health promotion and youth drug and alcohol prevention charity we believe it’s important that we do all we can to address this and encourage positive change, says Youth Solutions CEO Geraldine Dean.
She was speaking after the Youth Solutions #whyichoose campaign was relaunched this morning, after a successful run last year.
This year it targets tobacco smoking.
Mrs Dean said it was encouraging to see the progress being made in the local community in relation to decreasing tobacco use.
According to the South Western Sydney Local Health District, which incorporates the areas of Macarthur and Wingecarribee, last year nine out of 10 local households were smoke free and six out of 7 adults were non-smokers.
But in Campbelltown, hospitalisations related to smoking remained higher than the state average.
For Youth Solutions, this highlighted the need for community campaigns aimed at decreasing use and supporting people to quit, Mrs Dean said.
“We know that it generally takes most people a few attempts to quit smoking, but each attempt gets people closer to success and does wonders for your health,” Mrs Dean said.
“Not smoking for 20 minutes, for example, decreases the heart rate and within 12 hours the levels of carbon monoxide in the blood decreases dramatically.
“Within two to three months the risk of heart attack begins to decrease and lung function improves.”
That is why #whyichoose campaign is urging Macarthur and Wingecarribee community members join an online conversation and consider the choices they make in relation to tobacco smoking.
The annual campaign, targeted primarily at young people, is led by the charity’s Youth Advisory Group.
The 2017 campaign identifies tobacco smoking as an issue of concern for young people and aims to start a positive conversation about the benefits of not smoking or making safer decisions around smoking; such as cutting down or having a smoke-free home environment.
It also aims to raise greater awareness of the health impacts of smoking, the benefits of giving up tobacco and the supports available to help people quit or cut back.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“We are asking people to get involved with #whyichoose campaign by posting their own social media content about the positive choices they make in relation to smoking,” Mrs Dean said.[/social_quote]
Community members can use the hashtag #whyichoose on their Instagram or Twitter posts, or post directly to the #whyichoose Facebook page here.
Their content will then feature in the feed on the #whyichoose website.
“We have seen some great messages over the years that share the reasons why people choose not to smoke, or that detail how people have supported family members or friends to quit or cut back,” Mrs Dean said.
“We have also seen some fantastic posts from people who are taking steps to cut back, have started thinking about their smoking a bit more or are mindful about where they smoke, making conscious choices not to smoke around others.
“It is our hope that this campaign will continue to generate positive conversations that will help raise awareness about the benefits of not smoking or cutting down and perhaps most importantly, will raise awareness of the supports that are available to help people quit or cut back.
“It’s also important that we as a community support people with their quit attempts and encourage their progress,” Mrs Dean said.
In line with the campaign, Youth Solutions will also host a number of interactive community stalls, supported by Camden Council.
The first stalls will be held at Oran Park Podium on Thursday, 4 and 18 May, from 4pm to 6pm.
Youth Solutions will also pilot the Quit SAFE program in 2017, which will support young people with their quit attempt over a series of workshops.
For more statistics and facts around tobacco smoking, information about the benefits of quitting or the support services available, visit the Youth Solutions #whyichoose website here.
For information about #whyichoose or to register your interest for the Quit SAFE pilot, contact Program Coordinator Eden Wheatley: 4628 2319 or eden@youthsolutions.com.au.
♦ The #whyichoose campaign is supported by media partner South West Voice.
