Redfern launch of smoke- and vape-free pregnancy campaign

The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence will host the launch of the Talking About Tobacco Use Team’s (TATU) outdoor media campaign.

The TATU team has designed a fleet of buses in the Sydney region to raise awareness and advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples smoke- and vape-free pregnancy.

On Friday April 29, the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence stadium at 180 George Street Redfern, will host a live artwork projection, DJs, music about smoke-free lifestyles and interactive workshops.

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.

Helping people to quit smoking, or – even better – to never start, is the focus of the campaign, says Steven Davis, Manager, TATU.

“[Not smoking 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 square kilometres.”

Less than half of all pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women smoke (43 per cent).

Many pregnant women have not tried Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) in pregnancy, but TATU advises that it is okay to use NRT in pregnancy, and it won’t affect the baby. For advice on using NRT in pregnancy, contact Aboriginal Health Services for support or call the Koori Quitline 13 78 48.

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TATU is a federally funded Tackling Indigenous Smoking Initiative and health promotion program, based at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern.

www.ncie.org.au/tatu/