Ambitious plan to save 10,000 lives
Posted on March 28th, 2018
Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service are addressing the smoking prevalence and its related health effects among Central Queenslanders with an ambitious plan to save 10,000 lives from smoking-related deaths by the year 2030. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Central Queensland, with half of all smokers dying prematurely.
Director and Public Health Physician Doctor Gulam Khandakar, is leading the project and explains “The 10,000Lives movement has been initiated to increase social awareness of the dangers of smoking, the pathways and benefits of quitting, and to support local preventative action. Central Queensland has free access to Quitline (13QUIT): a personalized quit smoking program which includes 12-weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy posted to the home.
Senior Project Officer Caron Williams has been recruited to build community capacity both within the hospital and health service system and externally through partnerships with organisations and individuals: Influencers, who understand the importance of their contribution.
The Health of Queenslanders 2016: report of the Chief Health Officer Queensland estimates that “the health and economic cost to Queensland was 6.3 billion dollars in 2016.”
“The effects of smoking impact everyone. Loss of productivity and increased absenteeism for business, additional complications for health workers, personal finance and health stress for families,” Mrs Williams said.
Australia has built an international tobacco control profile based on widespread efforts to denormalise smoking. The rate of adults who smoke daily is decreasing; however, Central Queensland’s rate of daily smokers is 38% higher than the state average.
With tobacco summits being conducted in the five Central Queensland hospital locations, 10,000Lives is gaining momentum. “We welcome businesses to join the movement and be part of the local solution to reducing the smoking among their employees, families and customers” said Caron Williams.
If you would like to find out more about 10,000Lives please drop us an email at 10000lives@health.qld.gov.au.
