PREVENTING children from smoking will be the main focus of Pangula Mannamurna’s World No Tobacco Day event this weekend.
Working towards reducing smoking among youth and in turn help Aboriginal people to live longer and healthier lives, the dedicated team at the local facility will spread a positive message to the community on how not smoking can provide many benefits and more opportunities.
With mini games, a jumping castle, face painting and a colour run all free of charge, and a visit from new mascot Sid, indigenous smoking coordinator Danielle Ashford said it was a great chance for the community to work together to tackle the issue faced by many throughout the region.
“With trying to reach kids, we really need the whole community involved so they can pass on the message that smoking is not a good idea,” she said.
“We are putting it out there that tobacco smoking is not a part of the culture and you can still be part of the community without cigarettes.”
Although identified as a big problem in the region, Ms Ashford said the programs at Pangula Mannamurna were making a difference and changing the statistics.
“The indigenous smoking rate is dropping quicker than the mainstream rate,” she said.
“We want that to keep going and we want to have elders around to pass on the culture.
“At the moment there is a 15 to 20 year gap in life expectancy between indigenous and non-indigenous people and many are not even making it to the age where they are classed as an elder.”
With the average age of people taking up smoking a mere nine years old, tobacco action event coordinator Jade Maiden said they have decided to take a different approach in spreading the right message to children.
“The event this weekend will be in a nice light, it will focus on the benefits of not smoking, showcasing how people can have fun and run around when they are healthy and not smoking,” she said.
“A lot of people do not realise that children are taking up smoking so young and we need to build a better path for the future.
“At the moment smoking for indigenous people is the number one preventable cause of death, above alcohol, other drugs and suicide.
“That’s why there is such a big emphasis on reducing smoking.”
The World No Tobacco Day Games will take place on Saturday at Vansittart Park oval from 10am to 2pm with the colour run at 11am.
All activities and lunch are free of charge.
Visit the Deadly Culture Facebook page to sign up for the colour run.
