The program would build on the existing regional approach with grants provided for activities designed to reduce the number of people who take up smoking and encourage and support others to quit.

Bomaderry’s Kerrianne Banks stopped smoking almost a month ago after she had a toxin levels test done through a similar regional program called the Quit for New Life campaign.

She said quitting was the best thing she had done.

“I have a two-year-old son and I didn’t want any more harm coming to me or any possibility of it affecting him,” she said.

“I surrendered to Jesus who took my addiction away and the nicotine replacement therapy has helped me to stabilise.

“I was smoking on and off since my son was young and when I was pregnant I managed to stop, but I picked it up again being around others who smoked.”

Ms Banks said this time it was for life.

“Through the therapy I use an inhaler and patches so I don’t get moody, but the main help has been through support groups and prayer,” she said.

“I heard about the program through my sister, who is pregnant at the moment, and that’s when I had my toxin levels tested.

“The results were shocking.”

Ms Banks took up smoking at a very young age. She said her parents and friends all smoked, so it was easy to pick up the habit.

“It’s everywhere in our area and I’ve only really noticed it now I’ve quit,” she said.

“I particularly notice it when I’m walking around town and in the Aboriginal community.

“It’s an addiction and when you start smoking from such a young age it becomes so hard to break.”

Ms Banks also attends a healing room for support.

“I learnt how destructive [smoking] is through this program and now I really hope everyone gives themselves the chance to quit,” she said.

“My mother, sister and some people from the healing group have been inspired by my giving up.

“I give myself small incentives as well. With the money I have saved on cigarettes I had my hair done last week and this week I plan on having my nails done.”

Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash said the redesigned Tackling Indigenous Smoking program focused on results.

“Tobacco smoking is the most preventable cause of ill health and early death among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” she said.

Forty-four per cent of Indigenous Australians aged 15 years and over smoke, more than double the smoking rate of the general population. Smoking causes one in five Indigenous deaths.

“A more results-focused program will help reduce indigenous smoking rates.”

Grant funding will be provided for regional tobacco control activities, national support for workforce development, performance monitoring and evaluation and leadership and co-ordination.

Local service providers will make decisions on how they tackle smoking in their region. New intensive tobacco control approaches will also be trialled through a number of pilot projects in communities with very high rates of smoking.