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Putting Out The Fire

Sliammon is one of a handful of First Nations from across Canada participating in a program to reduce smoking in the community

From the Powell River Peak, May 19, 2004
Isabelle Southcott, Reporter

(See the poster advertising this event)

Smoking is the biggest health problem in First Nations communities, and Sliammon is no exception.

More than 57 per cent of all First Nations people smoke, said registered nurse Jo-Anne Allan, Tla'Amin's tobacco control strategy coordinator. And more than 65 per cent of First Nations women over the age of 15 are smokers.

"It's a real issue," said Laurette Bloomquist, Tla'Amin's director of health. Statistics from Sliammon's community health plan show that, in 1996, 45 per cent of Sliammon's population smoked.

Earlier this year, Sliammon heard that their community had been selected by the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Health Canada as one of eight national demonstration projects to study tobacco misuse in First Nations communities. That project, Toward a Smoke-Free Sliammon, was launched on May 4 with three concurrent workshops delivered by BC aboriginal tobacco experts.

The level of interest was phenomenal, said Allan. "We were pleased with both the attendance and the interest."

Sliammon is the only BC community chosen to participate in this project with others in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nunavut, and two in Atlantic Canada.

The projects are funded for three years and are intended to develop community-based, culturally appropriate health programs and services that impact on the rates of smoking in First Nation communities. Successful prevention and smoking cessation strategies developed in the demonstration projects will form the basis for health programs available to all Canadian First Nations communities.

Pointing to the high numbers of First Nations women who are smokers, Allan, who has developed Sliammon's 2004-2005 tobacco control strategy, said the primary targets for the project are youth and pregnant women.

The goal of this project is to create a program of evidence-based smoking-cessation interventions, said Bloomquist. A nicotine intervention centre has been set up in the healing lodge on the Sliammon reserve and it includes a smoking clinic, smoking cessation support groups and intervention therapy.

"The intent is to develop and demonstrate a sustainable and effective model for reducing the rate of smoking and uptake of smoking by youth in First Nations communities across Canada," said Bloomquist.

As well, Sliammon's programs will be integrated into all existing health programs such as prenatal, elder and youth programs. A transfer of function from Coast Garibaldi's medical health officer to the tobacco reduction coordinator means that person can now prescribe appropriate nicotine replacement therapy.

A population shift in Sliammon in the past eight years shows the number of youths on the reserve is increasing. That change, coupled with smoking statistics among youth, is a concern to Bloomquist. "Almost 50 per cent of the population on the reserve is youth. We're looking at a young population."

- Powell River Peak

A letter to Sliammon Community Members:

Every year First Nation communities across Canada, including Sliammon, witness thousands of cigarette-related illnesses and deaths. And the saddest part of it is, it's all preventable.

Tla'Amin Community Health workers care about you and your health. That's why we want to offer you the support and encouragement you need to quit smoking or to help someone you love quit.

Anyone who has tried to quit smoking will tell you it isn't easy. And not everybody changes his or her smoking behaviour in quite the same way. That's why the Tla'Amin Tobacco Control Strategy wants to honour many ways of quitting or reducing smoking.

We need to know how we can help you honour your health. We want to hear your stories about tobacco and smoking. If you are a smoker, and don't want to quit, you are welcome to participate. Whether you are an ex-smoker, a non-smoker, or a young person experimenting with smoking, we would like you to complete a survey.

Please come to the health building and the tobacco control nurse will be pleased to complete a confidential smoking survey with you. Or take one home to complete and return it - your privacy is protected. The Tobacco Control Strategy will provide you with a thank-you gift for helping us find ways to keep the Sliammon Nation strong and smoke-free.

Respectfully,

Tla'Amin Tobacco Control Strategy Coordinator