About Us
Smarter than Smoking aims to prevent the uptake of smoking among 10 to 15-year-olds in Western Australia (WA).
The project is funded by Healthway and implemented by the Heart Foundation in collaboration with key health agencies in WA. These agencies include The Cancer Council WA, the Asthma Foundation, the Australian Council on Smoking and Health, Tobacco Control Branch (Department of Health), School Drug Education and Road Aware, the Child Health Promotion Research Centre (based at Edith Cowan University), the Health Promotion Evaluation Unit (based at University of WA) and the Aboriginal Health Council of WA.
The project commenced in September 1995 and is currently funded by Healthway up until 2013. Since 1995 Smarter than Smoking has contributed to a decline in youth smoking and has seen positive shifts in attitudes, intentions and behaviours towards smoking among the target group.
Smarter than Smoking takes a comprehensive and sustained approach and does not rely on one single strategy to prevent smoking among young people. This approach is supported by recent reviews of literature that concur that effective youth smoking prevention requires a well-researched, comprehensive, multifaceted approach.
Key strategies include:
- Mass media campaigns
- School based education programs and resources
- Promotion of the Smarter than Smoking message through sport, arts and racing sponsorships
- Youth oriented resources, website and merchandise
- Advocacy to reduce tobacco promotion, availability and affordability for young people