Privacy

Queensland Health is committed to protecting user privacy. We understand and appreciate that visitors and users of this web site are concerned about their privacy and the confidentiality and security of any information that may be provided to us.
To protect your privacy Queensland Health staff must follow the National Privacy Principles in the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld), which cover the collection, use, disclosure, security, quality, access, correction and openness of personal information.

How is this website monitored?

When you look at the Quit HQ website, our internet service and analytics providers make a record of your visit and log the following information for statistical purposes only:

• the user’s server address
• the user’s top level domain name (for example .gov)
• the date and time of visit to the site
• the pages and documents accessed
• the previous site visited
• the type of browser used.

Excluding the matters described below under My quit journey dashboard and Cost calculator, no attempt is, or will be made, to identify users or their browsing activities except, in the unlikely event of an investigation, where a law enforcement agency may exercise a warrant to inspect activity logs.

My quit journey dashboard

The My quit journey dashboard is confidential and all information will be treated in accordance with current privacy legislation. Queensland Health collects your personal information through the Quit HQ website (quithq.initiatives.qld.gov.au) for the purposes of communicating with you about the Website, and to operate the Website to provide information and resources relating to quitting smoking. If you do not provide your personal information as requested, the functionality and information otherwise available to you through the Website will not be available to you, or will be limited in relation to you.

You will be asked to provide your first name, a password, an email address and answers to questions such as:

• Where are you in your quit journey? (Select from ‘I’m thinking about quitting’, ‘I’m ready to quit or ‘I have quit but I’d like support to stay quit’)
• What is your motivation for quitting? (Select from ‘Health’, ‘Family’ or ‘Financial’. You also have the option of adding something more specific)
• When was your last cigarette?

You will not be asked for any other identifying details. The My quit journey dashboard is designed to support you with tips to overcome cravings and to provide access to further support. There are tools available to estimate how much smoking is costing you and to inform you of how your body repairs over time once you have quit smoking. The My quit journey dashboard is not intended as a medical diagnostic tool, nor a substitute for professional medical advice.

Queensland Health will collect, use, protect and manage your personal information in accordance with this Privacy statement and the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld) and may be required to disclose personal information by applicable law, under compulsion of law or by a court or government agency.

Email subscription Service

As part of the My quit journey dashboard services on the Website, you can choose to receive automated email notifications for ongoing support and guidance. If you consent to receive email notifications then the Website will send emails to your nominated email address.

You may choose to stop receiving email notifications at any time by clicking the ‘Unsubscribe’ link that appears at the bottom of email notifications.

Research participation

As part of the My quit journey dashboard on the Website, you can choose to be contacted for research participation. By ticking the box provided you consent to sharing your dashboard information with Queensland Health and to receive invitations to participate in feedback and evaluation studies. This may be regarding the website or a Queensland Health campaign. By providing your consent you are not automatically included in research activities. If you are invited to participate an email will be sent to your nominated email address with details of the feedback opportunity.

You may choose to stop receiving email invitations at any time by clicking the ‘Unsubscribe’ link that appears at the bottom of the email.

If you choose to provide your details for research participation, Queensland Health may disclose your personal information as nominated by you on the Quit HQ website (Nominated Personal Information) to its external research agency, Enhance Research, for the purposes of contacting you about Queensland Health research in the future. Enhance Research complies with the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld) as if it were Queensland Health and will retain your Nominated Personal Information for a period of 12 months.

Request a Quitline call

By completing this form you are requesting contact from a Quitline counsellor who will offer you advice and support to quit smoking. You will be asked to provide your first and last name, date of birth, post code and answers to questions such as:

• Do you identify as being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin?
• (If yes to the above) Would you prefer to speak to an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander counsellor?
• Is it ok to leave a message if we don’t get through?
• What is your preferred date to be contacted?
• What is your preferred time of day to be contacted?
• Is there anything else you wish to tell us about your smoking, health or call request?

You will not be asked for any other identifying details. Quitline is a confidential service. Your details will not be passed on to anyone else.

Cost calculator

The Cost calculator is designed to provide you with an estimate of what smoking is costing you over time (week, month, years). You will be asked to answer questions such as:

• How many cigarettes do you get in a packet?
• How much does a packet of cigarettes cost you?
• How many cigarettes do you smoke per day?
• How many years have you been smoking?

You will not be asked for any other identifying details. The cost calculator is confidential and all information will be treated in accordance with current privacy legislation.

Email and feedback information

This is a Queensland Government website. Email correspondence sent to this site will be treated as a public record and will be retained as required by the Public Records Act 2002 and other relevant regulations.

Your first name, last name and email address details will not be added to a mailing list, other than the optional email subscription service mentioned above, if you elect to receive it, nor will we disclose these details to third parties without your consent unless required by law or as described under Personal information, above. Email messages may be monitored by our website support staff for system trouble shooting and maintenance purposes.

Although every effort will be made, Queensland Health does not guarantee to reply to email correspondence. Where appropriate, emails sent to this site may be forwarded internally to other Queensland Health officers for direct response.

How do I obtain access to information held about me by Queensland Health?

Queensland Health supports your right to see what personal information, including health information, is held about you.

You also have the right to request access to information about you under the Information Privacy and/or Right to Information Acts. If there is something in the information that is incorrect, or which you do not agree with, you can request that it be amended.

The Privacy & RTI Unit for Queensland Health is also available to provide advice to people seeking assistance in making applications. Phone queries should be directed to (07) 3234 1735, or the unit can be contacted via email at: RTI-Privacy@health.qld.gov.au