The NCIE will be hosting the launch of the Talking About Tobacco Use Team’s (TATU) outdoor media campaign, a fleet of designed buses in the Sydney region to raise awareness and advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples smoke and vape free pregnancy.
Smoking while pregnant increases both the risk of complications during pregnancy and harm to the baby. Passive smoking – breathing in second-hand smoke – exposes non-smokers to serious health risks. Less than half of all pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women smoke(43%). Many pregnant women have not tried Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) in pregnancy, but it is totally OK to use NRT in pregnancy, it won’t affect Bub!
Helping people to quit smoking, or – even better – to never start, means, “people can enjoy a better quality of life without the long-term harmful effects on health that tobacco and vape use inflicts. Our TATU program reaches 17,500 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, 9,000 First Nations households across 626 sq km”, says Steven Davis, Manager, Talking About Tobacco Use.
For the next 8 – 12 weeks, these eye-catching buses will travel through 626sq km from Sydney city – Little Bay – Randwick – Bankstown – Burwood for 12+ hours each day, 7 days/week, reaching large populations and approximately 90% of households.
To celebrate tremendous efforts, the NCIE stadium at 180 George Street Redfern on Friday 29 April will host a live artwork projection, DJs, music about smoke free lifestyles and interactive workshops.