Strengthening the regional approach to nicotine harm

Following the launch of Barwon South West Public Health Strategy in March 2024, this week the Barwon South West Public Health Unit hosted a second forum in Camperdown on Djargurd Wurrung country for key health stakeholders from across the Barwon South West to progress the plan’s implementation.

The focus of the forum was to mobilise the region’s public health ecosystem to optimise health outcomes and reduce health inequities through a strengthened regional approach to reducing harm from nicotine.

Special guest, Director of QUIT, Rachael Anderson, spoke to the audience around key smoking and vaping data and current initiatives, exploring collective opportunities to influence and prevent uptake of smoking and vaping and increase cessation across the region’s diverse communities.

The event also included presentations from Colac Area Health and the City of Greater Geelong showcasing examples of local action to reduce harm from nicotine and sharing key learnings.

Attendees then took part in a workshop aimed at collaborating within the health ecosystem with guests working together to explore and discuss ideas around policy, community, and cessation with a focus on quick wins, long term goals and wider strategies that the region could support with advocacy.