Policy makers can justify continuing to invest in reducing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smoking because we have shown improvement is clearly possible.

Our new evidence shows what is working now in this nationally representative sample of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and the communities they serve. It can be used to counter the pessimism in assertions that nothing has worked or is working.

Health staff can advise about quitting with confidence that their message will be understood and welcomed. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smokers are just as likely as all Australian smokers to want to quit and to have recently tried to quit, but are less likely to make sustained quit attempts.