Focus on Quitting 2008

The Regional Cancer Control Grant Program is a six month initiative of The Cancer Council of NSW, Greater Western Sydney Region.

This funded project will provide a body of research about the barriers and enablers to smoking and to quitting[1], including recommendations for further action, for lower-income women of child bearing age living in the more remote and less socio economically advantaged areas of the Penrith, Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury LGA’s among whom smoking is significantly prevalent.

The Researcher will be commissioned for three months, February to May 2008 to access these areas through local businesses, services and media in order to facilitate focus groups with and disseminate questionnaires to the target group. The resulting body of information will be collated and a report including recommendations will be produced.

The information gained will be used to expand and enhance the information received from other, more accessible, focus groups in the three LGA’s. the information will inform the development of a pilot Quit Smoking program for women of child bearing age which is currently being undertaken at WESDARC with a grant of funds from The NSW Cancer Council.

NB: It is anticipated that some women will be recruited from these remote areas to take part in pilot Quit smoking groups in their local areas.