South Coast Medical Services Aboriginal Corporation

South Coast Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation (SCMSAC) is a non-government, not for profit, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health, Wellbeing and Community Services Organisation. We provide health and wellbeing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities throughout the NSW South Coast.

One of the many programs on offer is the Tackling Indigenous Smoking program.

Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) is a national program that aims to reduce smoking as the most preventable cause of ill health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is associated with an increased risk of a wide range of health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, renal disease, eye disease and respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis. Smoking rates of Indigenous people are significantly higher than non-Indigenous people and health outcomes are poorer. Approximately 44% of Indigenous people smoke.

Services that is provided through the delivery of the program includes:
• Education and support
• Health promotion
• Brief intervention
• Quit support groups
• Referrals to GP to access NRT
• Information and resources
• Links and referral to other service providers

The program is delivered regionally throughout the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley with offices located within the South Coast Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation Falls Creek site, providing services to the Shoalhaven, and also at the Katungul Aboriginal Community and Medical Service Batemans Bay site, providing services the Eurobodalla and Bega Valley regions.

There are Quit Support groups available in all service regions, including, Nowra and Surrounding areas such as Jerrinja and Wreck Bay Aboriginal Communities, Batemans Bay, Narooma, Wallaga Lake Aboriginal Community, Bega and Eden.Want to find out more? Give us a call on (02) 4448 0200 to yarn about your situation and how we can support you.