To encourage and support staff and students who are considering reducing their cigarette consumption or quitting smoking, a number of smoking cessation resources and services are provided through the University and external providers.

1. University resources for staff and students
2. External resources
   
3. Resources for the UWA Smoke Free campaign
4. Smoking-related resources and legislation

University resources for staff and students

In the first instance, staff and students are encouraged to consult their General Practitioner (GP) or local health service.

• The University Medical Centre provides a confidential general practice service on campus. A free and confidential Alcohol and Other Drug Counsellor is available for individual appointments, including in relation to smoking cessation. Contact the Medical Centre to arrange an appointment.
• The University’s Health Promotion Unit offers resources on a variety of health topics, including smoking. Staff and students can visit the Unit in Room 2.08, Guild Village (opposite the University Medical Centre) or contact the Unit for further information.
• Through the UWA Counselling and Psychological Services, a free and confidential Alcohol and Other Drug Counsellor is available for individual appointments, including in relation to smoking cessation. Contact Counselling and Psychological Services to arrange an appointment.
  
• The University provides an Employee Assistance Program for staff. Optum is our external provider, with online information, as well as face-to-face and telephone counselling available.
• The Robin Winkler Clinic is a clinical psychology unit, which is linked to the University’s School of Psychology. The clinic provides individual and group therapy for people from all backgrounds. University staff and students are welcome to attend the clinic. A smoking cessation program is conducted at the clinic that uses scientifically validated treatment strategies. 

External resources

• The Western Australian Department of Health provides information resources and self-help materials about quitting smoking that are available free of charge. These resources can be ordered by telephoning HealthInfo on 1300 135 030.
• The Australian Government conducts the Quit Now program. Through this program, two smoking cessation services are available:
  • Quitline: Quitline is a telephone information and advice service for people who want to quit smoking. Information can be provided about the best way to quit smoking, how to cope with withdrawal symptoms, and local quit smoking courses and counselling services. Other resources are available online.

    The Quitline can be accessed by calling 13 18 48 or 13 78 48 from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call. Callers can opt for a call-back service that will provide them with six follow-up telephone calls from a qualified counsellor.

  • Quit Coach: The Quit Coach is a free online program which is designed to prepare smokers for quitting, as well as providing advice throughout the quitting process. The program helps smokers to understand their addiction and to know what to expect when quitting. It also aids in the development of strategies to help resist cravings.
• The Cancer Council WA conducts the Fresh Start program. This is a course for smokers who need support to quit. Developed by The Cancer Council Victoria, Fresh Start runs courses for smokers, and also trains health and other professionals to deliver smoking cessation courses in their community or workplace.

  The Fresh Start course for smokers is conducted over a four-week period and comprises eight sessions. Delivered by a trained group leader, the sessions examine the reasons for smoking, while also helping the participant develop strategies to quit.

  For more information about Fresh Start and to view the course dates for 2012, visit the website, call the Cancer Council WA on (+61 8) 9388 4333 or email Fresh Start.

Some smokers may use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to help them quit. The aim of NRT is to reduce the withdrawal effects from not using nicotine. Research has shown that NRT can increase the rate of long-term quitting by up to 70 per cent in smokers who have a high level of nicotine dependence and who are motivated to quit.

From February 2011, nicotine patches became available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. With a doctor’s prescription, nicotine patches may be subsidised for some smokers. Visit your general practitioner or local health service for further information.

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Resources for the UWA Smoke Free campaign

The "UWA is Smoke Free" flyer

Sample scripts for communication with someone breaching the smoke free policy

"UWA is Smoke Free" web stamp for Matrix Mysource websites

Please email Digital and Creative Services to place the stamps on pages.

"UWA is Smoke Free" web URL

https://www.uwa.edu.au/smokefree/

Information for managers and supervisors

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Smoking-related resources and legislation

Here are some links for more information about tobacco and quitting smoking.

Quit Now

Quit Now is the Australian Government’s smoking cessation information and support website. It provides current news, quit smoking advice and services, tobacco health warnings, the National Tobacco Campaign details and resources, and information in languages other than English.

Quit because you can

This website is dedicated to helping people quit smoking. Smokers can work their way through the phases of quitting, from deciding to quit, to coping with set-backs and staying quit.

Action on Smoking and Health Australia

Action on Smoking and Health Australia seek to reduce smoking rates, increase the number of smoke-free areas and end tobacco promotion. The website provides current news, research and publications, and relevant legislation.

The Cancer Council WA

The Cancer Council WA aims to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer in the community. The agency’s website provides information about smoking and tobacco, including the Fresh Start program, Make Smoking History campaign, Smoke Free WA, policy and research, and tobacco education and cessation resources.

The Cancer Council Victoria’s Tobacco in Australia online resource

The Cancer Council Victoria has compiled Tobacco in Australia, a comprehensive review of the major issues in smoking and health in Australia. The resource covers smoking prevalence and trends, the health effects of smoking and cessation.

Australian Drug Foundation

The Australian Drug Foundation aims to prevent alcohol and other drug problems in the community. In addition to providing information on a range of legal and illegal drugs, the organisation’s DrugInfo website includes a tobacco fact sheet, which defines tobacco, outlines the effects of tobacco, discusses tolerance and dependence, and lists sources of support.

OxyGen

OxyGen is an interactive website that provides young people with information on tobacco and the tobacco industry, allowing them to make an informed decision about smoking.

Smoke Free WA

In 2008, WA Health implemented the Smoke Free WA Health System Policy, which bans smoking at all WA Health owned and leased premises. The Smoke Free WA website provides information for WA Health staff as well as the general public, including fact sheets and reports, and policies and guidelines.

The website also contains a link to The Brief Intervention Training for Tobacco Smoking Project, which is a self-directed learning package aimed primarily at health professionals. The online package enables the participant to understand the Smoke Free WA Health System Policy, enhance their capacity to assist patients to comply with the policy, and gain skills in conducting brief interventions to help patients consider quitting.

Asthma WA

Asthma WA is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation that seeks to help Western Australians breathe better. The Asthma WA website contains asthma facts, information for the general public and health professionals, and details of training programs.

The website also includes an Asthma and Smoking page, which provides information about the effects of smoking on asthma, smoking during pregnancy, the effects of smoking on babies and children, and associated education and health promotion programs.

Links to tobacco laws and safety and health legislation

• Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act 2009
• Tobacco Products Control Act 2006
• Tobacco Products Control Regulations 2006
• Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996
• Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984

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