In this Wellbeing podcast episode, Associate Professor Michelle Kennedy, a proud Wiradjuri woman and public health researcher at the University of Newcastle, discusses the Which Way? Quit Pack program—a culturally tailored, Indigenous-led initiative designed to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people quit smoking and vaping. The episode aligns with World No Tobacco Day, a World Health Organization campaign that raises global awareness of tobacco’s dangers and empowers communities to protect future generations.
Professor Kennedy shares her personal and professional journey into tobacco control, emphasizing her motivation rooted in both lived experience and her deep ties to community health work. Noting the historical underrepresentation of Indigenous leadership in health research, she highlights the importance of evidence generated by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Which Way? Quit Pack was born from community demand during a conversation with Aboriginal health workers who asked what really works to help Indigenous people quit smoking. Initially developed as a basic mail-out support box containing nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and educational materials, the trial’s overwhelming uptake demonstrated a significant, unmet need. Despite expectations to reach only 90 people over a year, 165 signed up in three months. The program has since expanded to support over 740 individuals across New South Wales, Victoria, and the ACT, and is now moving to national scale.
Unlike mainstream cessation efforts, Which Way? is led entirely by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers, community workers, and peer supporters. This fosters trust and cultural relevance—factors essential for engagement and success. The materials are shaped by community feedback, addressing common questions, triggers, and challenges faced during quit attempts. Strategies include personalized quit plans and culturally resonant practices such as weaving, which supports cravings and strengthens cultural identity.
The initiative also encompasses programs tailored to women and youth. The Gullabah Project supports pregnant women through group-based programs, while a new youth vaping program, co-developed with Aboriginal health services, educates young people on vaping’s dangers, including hidden nicotine and harmful chemicals. Early data reveals increasing dual use (smoking and vaping), particularly among younger people in urban areas, and demonstrates higher quit attempts among Aboriginal people but lower success rates—highlighting the need for sustained, tailored support.
Professor Kennedy reports significant impact: 57% of past participants were smoke-free at 10 weeks, and nearly one-third remained so after six months. Participants often share their success stories, showing tangible life improvements and financial savings. However, she stresses the need for more investment in cessation programs. The long-term vision involves integrating Which Way? into national health systems via partnerships with organizations like NACCHO, ensuring continued access and sustainability.
Ultimately, Which Way? Quit Pack is more than a cessation tool—it’s a culturally grounded, community-empowering movement aimed at improving health outcomes, reducing preventable deaths, and supporting future generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to live smoke- and vape-free lives.