Smoke-free policy catalysts, development, implementation and maintenance in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community settings

Abstract

Australia’s comprehensive approach to tobacco control has resulted in reductions in smoking prevalence so that Australian smoking rates are among the lowest in the world. However, smoking prevalence and the burden from smoking is not evenly spread across all population groups. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a smoking rate approximately double that of the broader community. It is clear and well documented that tobacco control measures influence different population groups to varying degrees. This study aimed to explore the evidence of smoke-free policy development, implementation and management within Indigenous community settings.