“Together, we are making progress in reducing smoking rates but tobacco is still claiming the lives of far too many Indigenous Territorians,” Senator Nigel Scullion said.

“On average, smoking is responsible for 20 per cent of preventable deaths among Aboriginal people and more than 10 per cent of the health problems encountered by our Indigenous communities.”

Senator Scullion said the new funding was an important part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to Closing The Gap in health inequality, by providing certainty and continuity for proven local campaigns to reduce the devastating impacts of tobacco-related disease.

There are several organisations that run the TIS program across the NT:

Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation  in Gapuwiyak, Galiwin’ku, Milingimbi, Ramingining and the Gove Peninsula communities NT

Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation – in Tennant Creek and Barkly Region

Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Aboriginal Corporation - Central Australia

Danila Dilba Health Service in the Greater Darwin Region including Palmerston, Humpty Doo, Acacia, Batchelor, Adelaide River, and Belyuen

Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation  - Katherine East Region

 ”From July 1, the Coalition Government will extend the TIS program from the existing three-year to a four-year term,” Senator Scullion said.

“While existing and proposed local TIS projects will have to apply for the new funding, we know the new four-year program will build on successes and provide security for people working in the campaigns and for local communities.

“We will also invite new initiatives, with more than $6 million in extra funding to tackle smoking among pregnant women and people living in remote areas, because rates among these groups remain worryingly high.”

The revamped TIS program will:

Continue the successful local Regional Tobacco Control grants scheme including school and community education, smoke-free homes and workplaces and quit groups

Expand programs targeting pregnant women and remote area smokers

Enhance the Indigenous quitline service

Support local Indigenous leaders and cultural programs to reduce smoking

Continue evaluation to monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of individual programs, including increased regional data collection

 The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics report on Indigenous smoking shows significant declines in overall rates, with an average 2.1 percent annual drop since targeted interventions began in 2008.

“The good news is that, on average, our young Indigenous people are really reducing their smoking, with the number high school children trying tobacco down nearly 50 per cent,” Senator Scullion said.

“Quit rates are also up and there is evidence that the amount of heart problems from smoking among older people is already dropping.

“This new funding promises to build on these successes because it’s vital we keep the local momentum going.”