National Tobacco Campaign Fact File

The who's who and what's what of the National Tobacco Campaign.

What is the National Tobacco Campaign?

A collaborative quit-smoking health initiative between federal, state, and territory governments and non-government organisations. This is the first time all have come together on this scale in a campaign to reduce smoking. Between 1996 and 2004 the federal government has committed $21.3 million to the campaign.

The multi-tiered campaign combines hard-hitting advertising with:

    • nationally coordinated Quitline services for smokers
    • endorsed partnerships with key health and medical bodies
    • the participation of doctors Australia-wide
    • a campaign website
    • national media promotions.
The federal government has committed $21.3 million to the campaign since 1996. State and territory Quit Campaigns are providing the services to help smokers who want to quit.

What is the primary aim of the campaign?

To move Australian smokers a step closer to quitting by encouraging them to put the words 'give up smoking' on their personal agenda for today, rather than on the list of 'things I'll do in the future'.

What are the campaign messages?

    • Every cigarette is doing you damage
    • It's not just a risk - it's a certainty that smoking will damage your health
    • Smoking damages your arteries, lungs and eyesight
    • There is a nationally coordinated effort to help you quit.
Where will the messages be advertised?

The campaign advertisements have been seen around Australia on television and radio, in newspapers, on buses, posters, and on Doctor's Television.

Who does the campaign target?

The National Tobacco Campaign targets 18 - 40 year old smokers.

The campaign's advertisements have been extensively pre-tested with groups of smokers from the target audience to ensure that the campaign carries messages which will be meaningful to smokers.

Who are the other national partners collaborating on the campaign?

    • The Australian Medical Association
    • The Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners
    • Divisions of General Practice
    • The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
    • The Pharmacy Guild
    • The National Heart Foundation
    • The Australian Cancer Society
    • The National Asthma Campaign

What is the Quitline?

Quitline is a telephone information and advice or counselling service for people who want to quit smoking.

You can phone the Quitline on 131 848 from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call only. It's a confidential service and the lines are open 24 hours a day.

When you call the Quitline you can arrange to have the Quit Book mailed to you and if you want to talk to someone about quitting, they will give you information on:

    • the best way for you to quit
    • coping with withdrawal symptoms
    • Quit courses and details of local organisations which provide individual help and counselling.
 

Page currency, Latest update: 14 February, 2006