Services and support
Tackling Indigenous smoking
Supporting Aboriginal communities to live smoke-free
The tackling Indigenous smoking (TIS) program supports Aboriginal community controlled health services (ACCHSs), communities and partners across the Northern Territory to reduce smoking and vaping harms.
Through community-driven campaigns, local champions and practical quit support, the program promotes smoke-free homes, workplaces, clinics and community events—keeping culture strong and protecting the next generations.
What we do
The tackling Indigenous smoking program works alongside communities to:
- Promote smoke-free living through culturally relevant health promotion, local stories and positive role models.
- Support people to cut down or quit, linking them with primary health care, quit services and follow-up support that respects language, culture and family responsibilities.
- Run community events and yarning spaces such as festivals, sports days and smoke-free campaigns that make talking about smoking, vaping and lung health more open and less shame
- Partner with local organisations (for example, ACCHSs, NT Health, research bodies and community groups) to design and deliver campaigns that suit each community.
- Create and share resources – posters, videos, social media content and tools – that services can adapt in local languages and styles.
Why this program matters
Smoking remains one of the biggest preventable causes of illness and early death for Aboriginal people in the NT. Many families are still exposed to second-hand smoke at home, in cars and at community events.
Tackling Indigenous smoking recognises that quitting is not just an individual choice—it is about community, culture, stress, housing, money and history. By working through trusted ACCHSs and community leaders, the program helps create smoke-free norms while supporting people with practical, non-judgemental help to change.
Campaigns such as the “No smoking, strong body” television and social media campaign, featuring local voices from Maningrida and other communities, show how powerful community stories can inspire people to live smoke-free.
How we support member services
The tackling Indigenous smoking program supports ACCHSs to plan and deliver local activities that align with community priorities, develop smoke-free policies for clinics, offices, vehicles and events, and train and support health promotion workers, Aboriginal health practitioners and other staff to talk confidently about smoking and vaping. The program also helps services use social media, radio and local media to share strong, positive messages, and to evaluate their campaigns so learnings can be shared and adapted across communities.
Who we work with
The tackling Indigenous smoking program works with:
- ACCHSs
- community leaders, elders, youth groups, sports clubs and schools.
- smokers, vapers and families who want to cut down, quit or keep homes and cars smoke-free
- partners such as NT Health and Menzies School of Health Research and others involved in tobacco control and health promotion.
Campaigns and initiatives
- No smoking, strong body—a television and online campaign sharing real quit stories from community members, aired during Australian Football League (AFL) games and across social media.
- Kick the habit festivals and smoke-free events—community days that combine sport, music, culture and health promotion in partnership with ACCHSs and other organisation
Locally produced posters, short films and radio messages in language, tailored to each region.
Get in touch
To talk about tackling Indigenous smoking activities or how the program can support your service or community to go smoke-free, contact the TIS team within AMSANT’s workforce and leadership support (WALS) unit. Contact button here