An Indigenous-led program aimed at reducing smoking and vaping rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be expanded nationally.

The 'Which Way? Quit Pack' pilot, developed by researchers in Newcastle, has secured $4.7 million in funding from the Medical Research Future Fund through the National Health and Medical Research Council.

The initiative is led by Wiradjuri woman and University of Newcastle Associate Professor Michelle Kennedy, through the HMRI Equity in Health and Wellbeing program.

It is designed to assess the impact of smoking and vaping cessation strategies for both adolescents and adults.

"We have already supported more than 1000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to quit smoking and vaping in NSW, Victoria and the ACT through the pilot Which Way? programs," Associate Professor Kennedy said.

"Our pilot data has reported the highest quit rates of any smoking cessation study in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander setting, with our pilot reporting 34 per cent of participants are remaining smoke and vape free at six months, compared to 11 per cent previously."

In 2025, around one-third of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are expected to report smoking.

Recent data shows 31 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and 22 per cent of youth have used e-cigarettes or vapes.

The national trial will include an economic evaluation and will be the largest smoking cessation study involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The program is shaped by feedback from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and provides tailored support for individuals attempting to quit smoking and vaping.

It combines Indigenous knowledge with evidence-based methods and includes a mailed pack containing culturally developed resources, government support information, and combination Nicotine Replacement Therapy.

Participants also receive phone and text support from a trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team based at the University of Newcastle.

Associate Professor Kennedy said smoking remains the most significant preventable contributor to chronic disease and accounted for 23 per cent of the health gap in 2011.

Reducing smoking rates is a key target under national strategies including the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan, the Closing the Gap Health Campaign, and the National Preventive Health Strategy.

The strategy aims to reduce daily smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 and over to 27 per cent or less by 2030.

Associate Professor Kennedy said more culturally safe support is needed.

"This target's deadline is only five years away," she said.

"Our people need increased access to culturally safe and responsive supports for quitting.

"'Which Way? Quit Pack' addresses this and will offer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia that support, mailed to their door and over the phone."

She added the health system has failed to provide accessible, culturally responsive cessation support.

The national rollout is expected to boost quit rates and deliver clinically recommended, culturally appropriate care.

Associate Professor Kennedy said the trial would assess long-term sustainability and cost-effectiveness, with potential to influence public health policy and improve intergenerational health outcomes.

The program is part of the University of Newcastle's broader efforts to support better health in its communities.