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Background: Adolescence and young adulthood isa time of risky health behaviour initiation and experimentation. Smoking, risky drinking, poor nutrition and physical activity, and a lack of sun protection behaviour, often become established in early adulthood. Levels of health risk behaviours occurring amongst tertiary education and training students and their preferences for types of on-campus health promotion programs were examined. Method: A cross-sectional pen-and-paper classroom survey was conducted at one Sydney-based TAFE New South Wales Institute campus in May 2010.The survey assessed demographics, smoking, alcohol use, sun protection, nutrition, physical activity and health promotion program preferences. Results: Two hundred and twenty-four students participated (97% consent); the majority were aged 16-24 years (59%) and female (51%). Current smoking (35%), risky drinking (49%) and inadequate physical activity (88%) rates were high. Adequate vegetable intake (3.6%) and sun protection behaviours (5.4%) were low and 33% of students were overweight or obese. Popular health promotion programs included food and activity subsidies, practical skills classes and social outings. Conclusion: Participation in health risk behaviours among this sample was high. The setting of tertiary education and workplace training represents an opportunity for early intervention into risky health behaviours among young people. So what? This study is the first to provide information on the prevalence of health risk behaviours and preferences for types of health promoting programs among students of an Australian community college. The results show that young adults regularly participate in multiple health risk behaviours, such as smoking, drinking, poor nutrition, physical activity and lack of sun protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Active recruitment of smokers increases the reach of quitlines; however, some quitlines restrict proactive telephone counselling (i.e. counsellor-initiated calls) to smokers ready to quit within 30 days. Identifying characteristics associated with successful quitting by actively recruited smokers could help to distinguish those most likely to benefit from proactive telephone counselling. This study assessed the baseline characteristics of actively recruited smokers associated with prolonged abstinence at 4, 7 and 13 months and the proportion achieving prolonged abstinence that would miss out on proactive telephone counselling if such support was offered only to smokers intending to quit within 30 days at baseline. Design Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial in which the baseline characteristics associated with prolonged abstinence were examined. Setting New South Wales ( NSW) community, Australia. Participants A total of 1562 smokers recruited at random from the electronic NSW telephone directory. Measurements Baseline socio-demographic and smoking-related characteristics associated with prolonged abstinence at 4, 7 and 13 months post-recruitment. Findings Waiting more than an hour to smoke after waking and intention to quit within 30 days at baseline predicted five of the six prolonged abstinence measures. If proactive telephone counselling was restricted to smokers who at baseline intended to quit within 30 days, 53.8-65.9% of experimental group participants who achieved prolonged abstinence would miss out on telephone support. Conclusions Less addicted and more motivated smokers who are actively recruited to quitline support are more likely to achieve abstinence. Most actively recruited smokers reported no intention to quit within the next 30 days, but such smokers still achieved long-term abstinence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Aims. The aim of this study was to describe a sample of Australian methadone clients with respect to smoking and cessation-related behaviours and motivations. Design and Methods. A cross-sectional survey was completed by 103 methadone clients in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. Results. Characteristics of the sample included low socioeconomic status, and high polydrug use and nicotine dependence. Key findings were a high prevalence of smoking (84%) and low likelihood of quitting, including a quit ratio of less than 10%. Over half of smokers were classified as 'Precontemplative', and 34% as 'hard-core' smokers. Discussion and Conclusions. The need for research to develop and test tailored interventions for this population is highlighted, as is the need for methadone services and staff to facilitate client smoking cessation.[Bowman J, Wiggers J, Colyvas K, Wye P, Walsh RA, Bartlem K. Smoking cessation among Australian methadone clients: Prevalence, characteristics and a need for action. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:507-513] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue addressed: Little research has examined issues surrounding employee smoking outside smoke-free workplaces. The study's aims were to: 1) document the proportion of NSW indoor employees covered by total workplace smoking bans; 2) examine community perceptions of employee smoking during working hours; 3) identify the characteristics of having a supportive attitude toward tobacco control in the workplace; and 4) describe relationships between smoking relapse and workplace-related smoking. Methods: Two cross-sectional, computer-assisted telephone interview surveys of randomly selected adults were conducted. Consent rates were 49.1% in 2004 and 45.8% in 2006, with sample sizes of 1,158 and 2,393 respectively. Results: Total workplace bans were reported by 92.9% of indoor employees. Community attitudes to smoking in working hours were highly negative: 77.7% agreed smoking breaks waste too much time and 85.1% opposed smoking near workplace doorways. Being female, born in Australia and a non-smoker were associated with more negative attitudes. A higher proportion of smokers (78.3%) perceived smoking was more common outside their place of work or study than at five other locations: rail/bus stop (60.2%), friends' houses (59.3%), own street (35.2%), parks (34.3%), and outside school (22.6%). Of smokers making a quit attempt in the past year, 42.1% relapsed at home, 22.1% at licensed premises and 18.7% at work. Conclusions: Findings emphasise the low support for smoking during or near work. Smoking outside workplaces is highly visible. Data on relapse suggest a modest relationship with workplace-related smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue addressed: TAFE staff are likely to play a pivotal role in achieving smoke-free environments for vocational education. The aim of this survey was to explore staff experiences, behaviours and attitudes towards smoking and smoke-free policies for the TAFE setting. Method: A web-based survey that measured smoking behaviours, on-campus exposure to smoking, awareness of smoke-free policies and attitudes towards smoking and tobacco control was e-mailed to all staff at one TAFE New South Wales (NSW) institute. In total, 632 staff completed the survey. Results: Overall, 10% of staff reported to be current daily, weekly or occasional smokers. Most staff (76.2%) said that they saw someone smoking at TAFE every day and the most common location was 'outside buildings' (75.3%). A majority of staff (75.9%) said they avoided places at TAFE where they were exposed to other peoples' cigarette smoke. Only 26% said that existing smoking policies were always enforced. Non-smokers had a significantly higher (p<0.005) pro-tobacco control attitudes score mean of 4.2 (SD=1.8), compared with the mean of 2.3 (SD=1.4) for current smokers. Status as a non-smoker was the only statistically significant predictor of high pro-tobacco control attitude score. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that TAFE staff are likely to be supportive of smoke-free TAFE campuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims, design and intervention Smoking care provision to in-patients is important in assisting smoking cessation and for management of nicotine withdrawal. Limited studies have reported the effectiveness of interventions designed to increase the hospital-wide provision of such care. A quasi-experimental matched-pair trial, involving two intervention and two control hospitals in NSW, Australia, investigated whether a multi-strategic intervention increased hospital-wide smoking care provision. Participants and measurements Patient surveys ( n = 274–347 per experimental condition), medical notes audits ( n = 181–228) and health professional surveys ( n = 229–302) were used to collect outcome data at baseline and follow-up. Findings Significantly greater increases in intervention hospitals compared to control hospitals were found for patient-reported offer of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) (intervention 34% versus control 12%), provision of NRT (16% versus 4%) and provision of written resources (11% versus 2%), and for the recording in medical notes of smoking management discussion (13% versus 3%), offer of NRT (24% versus 3%) and provision of NRT (21% versus 5%). Intervention group health professionals reported significantly greater increases in the mean estimate of patients who: had their smoking management discussed (30% versus 17%); were offered or provided with NRT (30% versus 18%); were asked their intention to smoke post-discharge (22% versus 10%); and were provided with discharge NRT (21% versus 4%). Conclusions Implementation of a multi-strategic intervention is effective in increasing hospital smoking care delivery, particularly the provision of NRT. Research is required to identify methods to increase further the delivery of this and other forms of smoking care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite optimistic predictions when nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) was switched to over-the-counter (OTC) availability, population surveys have failed to demonstrate a positive impact on long-term smoking cessation. This review examined the strength of the evidence from randomised trials and comparison group studies supporting the effectiveness of OTCNRT. Twelve eligible studies were identified: OTCNRT was compared with placebo in four studies and with health professional-delivered NRT in four studies, and four studies involved community-based minimal intervention NRT. These studies were assessed systematically to determine their methodological quality and generalisibility to 'real-world' conditions of NRT use. The review found a number of issues, including provision of free NRT, heavy cigarette intakes (average 25 daily), high levels of personal interactions (7.6 per subject), lack of blindness assessment and failure of most studies to actively follow-up all subjects seriously limit the degree to which studies' results can be applied to non-research OTCNRT users. In addition, several important limitations affecting the meta-analyses of OTCNRT by Hughes et al. were highlighted. The review concluded that the superiority of OTCNRT over unaided smoking cessation has not been demonstrated convincingly. Future directions for research involve more innovative, rigorous controlled trials and prospective cohort studies where nicotine dependence is assessed adequately. [Walsh RA. Over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy: a methodological review of the evidence supporting its effectiveness. Drug Alcohol Rev 2008;27:529-547] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased access for smokers to pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation suggests that pharmacists have a potential role in influencing how these pharmacotherapies are used in the community. This study aimed to identify the extent and type of advice provided by pharmacists to customers purchasing nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or bupropion and to identify pharmacists' perceptions about the desirability and feasibility of providing such advice. A sample of 700 pharmacies was selected at random from the NSW Electronic Yellow Pages and a questionnaire was sent by mail, fax or e-mail to the pharmacist in charge. From 665 eligible pharmacies, 375 pharmacists returned completed questionnaires, giving a response rate of 56.4%. Participants reported providing a mean of 5 minutes of advice to both bupropion and NRT purchasers, with 59.5% reporting the provision of behavioural advice to NRT purchasers. Although over 70% of pharmacists perceived the provision of a brochure about NRT or bupropion as desirable and feasible, brochures were provided to less than one-third of NRT purchasers. Pharmacists report providing a sizeable amount of advice to purchasers of NRT and bupropion. Recommendations for enhancing the role of pharmacists in influencing the use of cessation pharmacotherapies are discussed briefly. [Paul CL, Tzelepis F, Walsh RA, Turner R. Pharmacists on the front line in providing support for nicotine replacement therapy and bupropion purchasers. Drug Alcohol Rev 2007;26:429 - 433] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Australia, the prevalence of smoking is higher among certain sub-populations compared to the general population. These sub-populations include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as people with mental and substance use disorders and prisoners. The aims of this paper are to: describe the high prevalence of smoking among these particular sub-populations and harms associated with smoking; explore possible reasons for such high prevalence of smoking; review the evidence regarding the efficacy of existing smoking cessation interventions; and make recommendations for smoking interventions and further research among these groups. In addition to low socio-economic status, limited education and other factors, there are social, systems and psychobiological features associated with the high prevalence of smoking in these sub-groups. General population-based approaches to reducing smoking prevalence have been pursued for decades with great success and should be continued with further developments that aim specifically to affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and some cultural groups. However, increasing attention, more specific targeting and flexible goals and interventions are also required for these and other distinct sub-populations with high smoking prevalence. Recommendations include: more funding and increased resources to examine the most appropriate education and treatment strategies to promote smoking cessation among people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and some culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; larger and better-designed studies evaluating smoking cessation/reduction interventions among distinct sub-groups; and system-wide interventions requiring strong leadership among clients and staff within mental health, drug and alcohol and prison settings. [Baker A, Ivers RG, Bowman J, Butler T, Kay-Lambkin FJ, Wye P, Walsh RA, Pulver LJ, Richmond R, Belcher J, Wilhelm K, Wodak A. Where there's smoke, there's fire: high prevalence of smoking among some sub-populations and recommendations for intervention . Drug Alcohol Rev 2006;25:85–96] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cross-sectional survey was mailed to all Australian drug and alcohol treatment agencies to assess their smoking cessation policies and practices and related staff attitudes. Barriers to smoking cessation interventions were also examined. Completed questionnaires were returned by 213 managers and 204 other staff representing 260 agencies (59.8% consent rate). Approximately one-quarter of agencies have smoking cessation intervention policies and one-third of clients receive adequate smoking advice. Of 12 intervention strategies, only the recording of smoking status on file occurs in a majority of cases. Concerns about the potential negative impact of smoking interventions and lack of client interest were endorsed as very important barriers by the highest percentage of respondents. 12.6% of managers and 16.5% of other staff agreed that it is occasionally useful for staff to smoke with a client. Smoking cessation receives little systematic attention from drug and alcohol agencies. Training and policy initiatives are needed urgently to address negative staff attitudes impeding progress in this area. [Walsh RA, Bowman JA, Tzelepis F, Lecathelinais C. Smoking cessation interventions in Australian drug treatment agencies: a national survey of attitudes and practices. Drug Alcohol Rev 2005;24:235 – 244] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the life and works of doctor Patrick J. J. O'Neill in Australia. Efforts of O'Neill to reduce drug-related problems; Dependence of O'Neill on alcohol; Transformation of O'Neill.

A selective review of the literature was conducted to provide evidence-based recommendations for the clinical management of hospitalized smokers. The Cochrane library, in particular the Cochrane review of 'Interventions for smoking cessation in hospitalised patients', was the basis for the review and was supplemented with other clinical and non-clinical literature where the review did not inform clinicians sufficiently. Evidence was reviewed on issues considered by the authors to be of importance to health professionals interested in providing a smoking cessation intervention to their patients. The review suggests that effective hospital interventions: incorporate an in-patient intervention lasting greater than 20 minutes in duration with extended post discharge follow-up; consist of at least five intervention contacts; and be delivered over at least a 3-month period. Furthermore, interventions should include in-patient advice and counselling, the provision of nicotine replacement therapy and extended proactive post discharge telephone support. The review also indicates that cessation interventions are particularly effective when delivered to patients with a cardiovascular diagnosis. All health professionals may be effective in providing cessation treatments; however, the addition of a specialist smoking cessation counsellor appears to improve interventions in this setting. Finally, without the development of supportive systems, routine intervention with smoking patients by health professionals is unlikely. Recommendations for the delivery of effective smoking cessation interventions in hospitals are provided. [Wolfenden L, Campbell E, Walsh RA, Wiggers J. Smoking cessation interventions for in-patients: a selective review with recommendations for hospital-based health professionals. Drug Alcohol Rev 2003;22:437 - 452] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare alcohol-related intervention and general interactional skills performance of medical students from a traditional (Sydney) and a non-traditional (Newcastle) medical school, before and after participation in an alcohol education programme about brief intervention. Design In two controlled trials, students received either a didactic alcohol education programme or didactic input plus skills-based training. Prior to and after training, all students completed videotaped interviews with simulated patients. Setting The Faculties of Medicine at the University of Newcastle and the University of Sydney, Australia. Subjects Fifth-year medical students (n=154). Results Both alcohol-related intervention and general interactional skills scores of the Newcastle students were significantly higher than those of the Sydney students at pre-test but not after training. Although alcohol-related interactional skills scores improved after training at both universities, they did not reach a satisfactory level. The educational approach used had no effect on post-test scores at either university. Conclusions Significant baseline differences in interactional skills scores favouring non-traditional over traditional students were no longer evident after both groups had been involved in an alcohol education programme. Further research is required to develop more effective alcohol intervention training methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the research was to investigate the effect of two methods of dissemination on the implementation of a smoking cessation programme and use of smoking cessation interventions in antenatal clinics. A repeated-measures randomized design was used. Hospital antenatal clinics ( n = 23) were randomized to simple or intensive dissemination groups. All clinics in NSW with > 500 births were asked to participate. A survey of all clinical staff ( n = 323) in 23 antenatal clinics was carried out prior to programme dissemination and 18 months after dissemination ( n = 283). The response rate was 63%at baseline and 64% at follow-up. Smoking cessation intervention significantly increased after dissemination. ( F (18,1) = 49.26, p < 0.001). The average number of smoking cessation interventions provided by clinics after programme dissemination increased from 4.5 to 7. 48 (mean difference 2.98, t (19) 7.08, n < 0.001, 95% CI (2.1-3.86). Type of dissemination did not influence the number of programme components used or the number of smoking cessation interventions offered. Also, the estimated proportion of clients offered intervention by clinicians did not vary due to type of dissemination. A simple mail-out of a smoking cessation programme to antenatal clinics for use during pregnancy can increase clinician intervention for smoking. When more intensive methods of dissemination are used, the quality of the interventions implemented by clinicians improves. More research on dissemination methods are required as both methods of dissemination did not produce systematic or sustained use of the programme. \[Cooke M, Mattick RP, Walsh RA. Implementation of the 'Fresh start' smoking cessation programme to 23 antenatal clinics: a randomized controlled trial investigating two methods of dissemination. Drug Alcohol Rev 2001;20:19-28]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. Two methods of dissemination (simple and intensive) were used to disseminate a smoking cessation programme to doctors and midwives working in antenatal clinics. This paper describes the differential uptake of the smoking cessation programme by doctors and midwives. It investigates whether the number of smoking cessation interventions used differ due to the type of dissemination. It also examines the frequency with which doctors and midwives provide smoking cessation interventions after dissemination. Design. Clinics were randomized to the method of dissemination (simple or intensive). Pre-post test design was used to examine the relationship between dissemination method and professional status at baseline and follow-up. A baseline survey collected data on the use of smoking cessation intervention in the clinics prior to dissemination. A follow-up survey was conducted 18 months after the dissemination. Setting. Twenty-three public hospital antenatal clinics in NSW. Participants. All clinical staff (midwives and doctors) working in the clinic during the 1-2-week survey period prior to dissemination and 18 months after the dissemination were asked to participate. The response rate was 63% (223) at baseline and 64% (182) at follow-up. Only 48% of midwives and doctors at follow-up were working in the original clinic. Measures. The proportion of clinicians who initially adopted the programme; the proportion of clinicians who had used one or more programme components in the last week); the number of types of smoking cessation intervention provided (maximum = 13), and the estimated proportion of clients offered smoking cessation intervention. Findings. More midwives than doctors 'ever used' the programme (76% vs. 25%) and continued to implement (58% vs. 22%) the programme 18 months after dissemination. Both midwives and doctors increased the number of types of smoking cessation intervention offered at follow-up compared to baseline (mean difference 2.8). Midwives provided more smoking cessation interventions than doctors at baseline (mean difference 0.9) and at follow-up (1.6), regardless of method used to disseminate the programme. Midwives' mean estimates of the proportion of clients offered interventions were greater than doctors' (midwives' 59% vs. doctors' 35%) at follow-up. Conclusion. The dissemination of a smoking cessation programme increased the level of smoking cessation interventions used by doctors and midwives. Doctors and midwives differ in their uptake of smoking cessation programmes. This information can be used to plan programme dissemination strategies in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Editorial. Comments on the effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) as part of a smoking cessation program. Public policy with respect to NRT; Justification for deregulating the sale of NRT; Likelihood of quitting of smoking among NRT users against placebo groups.

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses the issue regarding tobacco industry research funding.

Objective: This study aimed to examine recent levels of exposure to smoking in movies, how the community perceived the level of smoking they saw in recently-viewed movies and whether there was community support for any form of regulation. Methods: As part of a 2004 New South Wales survey of smoking-related perceptions and practices, 1,154 adults participated in a computer-assisted telephone interview about perceptions relating to smoking depiction in movies and television. Results: More than one-quarter of those who had seen a recent movie in the cinema (28.5%) or on DVD (33.9%) thought that the movie contained excessive or inappropriate smoking. More than half the sample (59.1%) considered it likely the tobacco industry played a role in the level of smoking depiction, although only 18% of those who thought a recent movie contained excessive smoking attributed this to the tobacco industry. Almost two-thirds of respondents favoured screening anti-tobacco advertisements prior to movies with smoking. Conclusion: Cinema and DVD movies commonly include scenes where there is excessive or inappropriate smoking. It is widely believed that the tobacco industry is contributing to this, and there is strong community support for action to curb the harmful influences this may be having. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Responds to J.R. Hughes' rebuttal of the authors' editorial regarding the effectiveness of over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy. Summary of points of agreement between Hughes and the authors; Restatement of the central argument of the editorial; Critique of four studies identified by Hughes in support of his arguments; Points of difference between Hughes' and the authors' arguments.

A letter to the editor is presented regarding the use of varenicline on Australia.

A letter to the editor is presented referring to the investments in the tobacco industry by Australian pension funds.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "School smoking bans: do they help/do they do harm?" in a previous issue of the periodical.

Comments on the effect of imposing ethical guidelines in conducting research in Australia. Impact of the revisions in the ethical guidelines; Justification between risks and benefits; Role of ethics committees in enforcing subject safeguards.

Explores the ethics of universities' tendency to accept donations from the tobacco industry. Tobacco industry sponsorship; Universities receiving funds from the industry; Pros and cons of receiving money from the industry.

This selective review was undertaken in order to highlight the need for alcohol and other drug treatment services to provide intervention for tobacco smoking to their clients. The reasons for the failure of treatment services to date to deal with nicotine addiction within their programmes are discussed and positive suggestions for change are proferred. In addition to the transformation of institutional culture which will be required, managers and staff of alcohol and other drug agencies need to know how best to implement smoking intervention within the treatment setting. The paper concludes with some practical suggestions for the management of intervention for tobacco smoking within treatment settings. These suggestions include: making decisions and formulating policies and procedures with regard to how tobacco smoking will be addressed; considering the particular physical, psychological and social/environmental factors that apply to substance abuse clients; building intervention around a simple structure such as the '5 A's'; encouraging and facilitating the use of nicotine replacement therapies; and allowing flexibility to tailor intervention to the individual. A great deal of further research is required to inform us as to how to intervene most effectively for tobacco smoking among this population group.