An estimated 24.4 per 100 people are smokers in Gunnedah compared to the national average of 16.1 per 100 people, according to data from the Australian Heart Foundation.

A team from the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Newcastle is trying to tackle smoking by running a smoking cessation support study, targeting people in rural and regional areas, including Gunnedah.

Research assistant Emma Byrnes said the team was aware that “smoking cessation may be more difficult for rural and regional people based on their geographical location, access to health facilities and cost”. 

“This randomised control trial is determined to remove these barriers and provide cessation support via video, telephone or written platforms, at no cost to participants,” she said.

Doctor Flora Tzelepis is supervising the study and said there are currently 317 study participants including some individuals from Gunnedah.

“The whole study is focused on rural and regional area so the rationale behind that is is that smoking rates are higher than say Sydney,” she said.

“Basically, the rationale behind the study is the Quitline offers telephone support and print materials but they don’t offer visual support like Skype so really the study is looking at whether people will use that video communication and whether it’s as good as the services that are already available. And if it’s as good, it’s information we could use to offer as a potential option that people could use and we could offer.

“This study is the first of its kind, providing real-time video counselling delivered via Skype, FaceTime or Facebook Messenger to smokers in their homes.” 

Last year, Gunnedah Shire Council resolved to extend Gunnedah’s smoke-free zone in Conadilly Street to include areas from Tempest to Henry streets.

To find out more about the University of Newcastle study, visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/research/quit