31 May 2022
World No Tobacco Day
The World Health Organization created World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes. The celebration of WNTD is now held every year on 31 May.
Tobacco causes the death of over 8 million people worldwide every year and destroys the environment. It is time to end tobacco use to save lives and protect our planet. Healthcare professionals play an important role in helping clients quit or minimise harmful smoking habits and the resources below support oral health professionals in this important work.
Smokefree Smiles training
Many smokers want to quit and expect their oral health professional to talk to them about smoking. Brief advice (Ask, Advise, Help), combined with behavioural intervention and smoking cessation medications gives clients the best chance of successfully quitting. Join the growing number of oral health professionals referring their clients to Quitline. Start your free online training today at: education.quit.org.au
Order or download your free resources from Quit Victoria: www.quit.org.au/resource-order-form
Oral Cancer Learning Hub
Many oral cancers are linked to tobacco and alcohol use. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption account for 75% of all oral cancers. The Oral Cancer Learning Hub assists oral health professionals to identify clients at higher risk and provide evidence-based lifestyle advice that will help prevent cancers of the oral cavity and oropharynx.
Consumer information on Nicotine Vaping Products (NVPs)
NVPs are not first line treatments for smoking cessation. There is limited evidence of their effectiveness and their long-term health impacts are unknown. More research is needed into the oral health effects of NVPs. For consumer information on vaping, visit Vaping – teeth.org.au and e-cigarettes - Better Health Channel
Smokefree Smiles was proudly funded and supported by the Victorian Government and is an initiative of Quit, DHSV and the ADAVB.
The Victorian Oral Cancer Screening and Prevention Program is funded by the Victorian Department of Health as an initiative under the current Victorian Cancer Plan. The program is led by Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV), in partnership with the University of Melbourne Dental School, the ADAVB and La Trobe University Department of Dentistry and Oral Health.
