How deadly are you for making the choice to give up the smokes or vapes! You’ve come to the right place to start your quit journey.
Quit methods - how to quit?
There are many ways to quit, from cold turkey to cutting down. One thing’s for sure, there’s lots of support in Community, so you don’t have to do it alone! Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Quitline (AQL) is a great starting point. AQL counsellors work with you to empower and support you in the way you want to quit. We also offer what’s known as the Circle of Care. The Circle of Care means we can work together with your doctor or your local Aboriginal Health worker or TIS worker to ensure the best possible outcome for you throughout your quit journey. It’s the best way to quit.
1. Yarn with an AQL counsellor
AQL is a Culturally safe, free telephone counselling and support service for mob who want to quit smoking or vaping. We help you work out a plan to quit and support you along the way. Meet our AQL counsellors here.
2. Get advice from your doctor or pharmacist
Speak with your doctor or pharmacist. They can advise if any medications are appropriate to help you stop smoking and/or vaping. While you don’t need a referral to contact AQL, they can also refer you to AQL if you like. They'll get in touch with us letting us know, and we'll then get in touch with you.
3. Get support from your local Aboriginal health worker or TIS worker
Tackling Indigenous Smoking Teams, or TIS teams, are deadly mob in Community who are trained and ready to yarn with you about general information and ways to quit. They can help with a referral to AQL as well as ongoing Community support while you're quitting.
“They had the TIS Biggest Loser Challenge, so I decided to do that. My goals were to quit the smokes and lose 10kgs. At the end of the challenge, I’d lost nearly 9 kilos and I’d stopped smoking.”
Charmaine, Proud Aboriginal Woman
The STAR strategy
We often help mob to use the STAR strategy when they’re preparing to quit:
S = Set a quit date
T = Tell people you’re quitting
A = Anticipate cravings
R = Remove smoking or vaping products
Read more about the STAR strategy
S = Set a quit date
How and when you quit is a personal thing. Setting a ‘quit date’ is about setting a day to stop smoking or vaping and following through with that plan. Yarning with an AQL counsellor can help you plan and prepare.
T = Tell people you’re quitting
Letting people know you’re quitting the smokes or vapes can really help. It gives them a chance to help you with something that is important to you.
A = Anticipate cravings
Some cravings are habitual, like smoking or vaping in social situations, or with coffee or alcohol. Others are psychological or emotional - smoking or vaping to cope with stress or anxiety. Chemical addiction to nicotine plays a role too. AQL counsellors have training and knowledge to help you understand your cravings and how to manage them.
R = Remove smoking or vaping products
This is a ‘cleansing’ process to get rid of anything that is related to smoking or vaping. Get rid of whatever needs to go to help you feel as empowered and ready as possible quit!
“One of the Elders told me, if you wanna do it go to bed and then delay the first one when you wake up as long as you can, because when you’re sleeping there’s a delay anyway and if you keep delaying your body will learn and won’t ask for it anymore.”
Launa, Proud Aboriginal Woman
Managing your health
Keeping your mind and body healthy while you’re quitting can help you feel empowered and confident. Here are three things that can make a big difference:
Deep breathing
Deep breathing can help you stay calm and chilled-out, lower anxiety and slow down your thoughts.
Drinking water
Is one of the best things you can do to help in quitting. H2O is the way to go!
- Great distraction
- Flushes out any toxins from the body
- Keeps you hydrated
- Water is essential for your body to function.
Exercise
Even mild exercise like walking or fishing can help your body flush out toxins. It also helps to manage stress and reduce cravings!
Quitting questions
Can nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) help?
It's important to speak with your doctor or pharmacist, as they can advise if any medications are appropriate to help you stop smoking and/or vaping. If you are quitting smoking, research shows that using NRT and yarning with a Quitline counsellor is the best way to quit.
How can Aboriginal Quitline (AQL) help?
AQL is a free telephone counselling and support service for mob, by mob. Our AQL counsellors can:
- help you make a tailored quit plan
- offer advice on how to tackle triggers, cravings and withdrawals
- help to keep up your motivation to quit and stay quit
- work with your doctor and Aboriginal maternal health or TIS worker to make sure you’re getting all the support and care you need.
Find out more about
How do I help other mob or loved ones give up the smokes or vapes?
Wanting to help a family member or friend give up the smokes or vapes is understandable. Your understanding and care can make a big difference.
Read about how to
Please note, this information is for general use only. Please consult your health professional for further advice.
If you would like to provide feedback, please contact quit@cancervic.org.au
Last updated February 2024