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Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death in Australia. In 2018, almost 20,500 Australians died from smoking-related diseases, with cancer being the number one cause. This figure is estimated to have risen to 24,000 in 2022, causing 66 deaths every day. While daily smoking rates for Australians aged 18 and over have dropped from 20% in 2001 to 9% in 2022, the habit continues to devastate lives, families, and communities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of deaths caused by smoking in Australia in 2015 | 21,000 |
| Number of deaths caused by smoking in Australia in 2018 | 20,482-20,500 |
| Number of deaths caused by smoking in Australia per year | 24,000 |
| Number of deaths caused by smoking in Australia per day | 50-66 |
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What You'll Learn
Smoking kills 24,000 Australians annually
Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death in Australia. It is estimated that tobacco use kills 24,000 Australians annually, with some estimates placing this figure at almost 20,500. This equates to around 66 deaths every day, or more than 50 preventable deaths daily. People who smoke are 36 times more likely to die of chronic lung disease, 18 times more likely to die of lung cancer, and 60% more likely to die of dementia than non-smokers. Smoking also doubles the risk of dying from stroke and heart disease.
In 2018, smoking-related diseases killed almost 20,500 Australians, which was over three times the number of alcohol-related deaths. This figure includes costs to businesses, households, healthcare, and losses from fires, litter, and money spent on tobacco. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and illness in Australia, and cancer is the number one cause of smoking-related death and illness, responsible for 56% of deaths due to smoking. Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in Australia, largely due to smoking.
The burden of disease from tobacco use is highest in the Northern Territory and more remote parts of Australia. People living in the lowest socioeconomic areas experience rates of tobacco burden 2.6 times higher than those in the highest socioeconomic areas. In 2021-22, daily smoking rates were higher among people in areas of most disadvantage (16.1%) than those in areas of least disadvantage (5.3%). Adults born in Australia were more likely to be daily smokers than those born overseas (11.1% compared to 8.1%), and English speakers were more likely to smoke than those who spoke another language (10.6% compared to 6.9%).
The good news is that quitting smoking has immediate health benefits and dramatically reduces the risk of smoking-related diseases, regardless of age. Within five years of quitting, the risk of stroke decreases significantly, and after 20 years, the risk of heart disease and stroke is similar to that of a non-smoker.
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Smoking causes 66 deaths daily in Australia
Smoking is Australia's biggest killer, causing 66 deaths every day and 24,000 deaths each year. This accounts for 13% of all deaths in the country. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer, which is the number one cause of smoking-related deaths in Australia. Lung cancer is the most common cancer-related death, and smoking also increases the risk of a wide range of other health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, renal disease, eye disease, and respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis.
The burden of disease from tobacco use is highest in the Northern Territory and in more remote parts of Australia. People living in the lowest socioeconomic areas experience tobacco-related disease rates 2.6 times higher than those in the highest socioeconomic areas. Additionally, death rates from tobacco-caused diseases are higher among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who are more likely to die from these diseases at a younger age.
The daily smoking rate among Australians aged 18 and over has decreased from 20% in 2001 to 9% in 2022-2023. This decrease is a positive trend, but there is still a significant impact on individuals, families, and communities. The economic cost of smoking in the Victorian community is $3.7 billion per year, including costs to businesses, households, healthcare, and losses from fires, litter, and tobacco expenditure.
Quitting smoking has immediate health benefits and dramatically reduces the risk of smoking-related diseases at any age. After 20 years of not smoking, the risk of heart disease and stroke decreases significantly. Therefore, it is crucial for smokers to prioritize quitting as soon as possible to improve their health outcomes and reduce the devastating impact of smoking on themselves and those around them.
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Cancer is the leading cause of tobacco-related deaths
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in Australia, with almost 20,500 people dying from smoking-related diseases in 2018. This figure equates to over 50 preventable deaths every day. Cancer is the leading cause of tobacco-related deaths, responsible for 56% of deaths due to smoking. Lung cancer is the most common cancer caused by smoking, with smokers being 18 times more likely to die from it.
The harmful effects of smoking extend beyond cancer, with smokers being 36 times more likely to die from chronic lung disease and twice as likely to die from heart disease or stroke. Smoking also increases the risk of dying from dementia and prostate cancer. Quitting smoking is crucial for improving health outcomes, and Australia has implemented various tobacco control interventions to support this.
The country has witnessed a significant decline in smoking prevalence since the 1950s among men and since the 1980s among women. In 2022, around 11% of Australians aged 18 and over were daily smokers, with higher rates observed among lower socioeconomic groups and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Smoking costs the Victorian community $3.7 billion annually, highlighting the economic burden associated with tobacco use.
The smoking-attributable fraction (SAF) calculates the proportion of deaths directly linked to smoking. Studies project smoking-related cancer mortality in Australia until 2044, emphasizing the ongoing impact of smoking on cancer rates and deaths. Cancer types with established links to smoking were considered in these analyses, but smoking may also increase mortality from other cancers.
Immediate health benefits arise from quitting smoking, and the risk of smoking-related diseases decreases regardless of age. Quitting before the age of 40 reduces the likelihood of dying from smoking-related diseases by approximately 90% compared to lifelong smokers. Support for quitting is available through resources like quit.org.au, the My Quit Buddy app, and free counselling services.
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Smoking increases the risk of heart disease and stroke
Smoking is Australia's biggest killer, causing an estimated 24,000 deaths every year, or 66 deaths every day. This accounts for 13% of all deaths in the country. It is the leading cause of preventable death and illness in Australia.
Smoking is also linked to a higher risk of cancer death, with cancer being the number one cause of smoking-related deaths in Australia. Lung cancer is the most common cancer-related death, and this is primarily due to smoking. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer in Australia, contributing to an estimated 20,933 deaths in 2015. Overall, smoking-related diseases killed almost 20,500 Australians in 2018. This includes deaths from heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and stroke.
Quitting smoking has immediate health benefits and dramatically reduces the risk of smoking-related diseases, regardless of the person's age.
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People in disadvantaged areas are more likely to smoke
Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death in Australia, causing an estimated 24,000 deaths every year. This translates to 66 deaths every day, with cancer being the leading cause of tobacco-related deaths, responsible for 56% of smoking-related fatalities.
Similarly, in the United States, individuals with incomes below the poverty threshold have a smoking rate of 19.5%. Lower-income individuals are more likely to live in public housing, where smoking rates are more than double the national average. Tobacco companies often target their advertising campaigns at low-income communities, and these neighbourhoods tend to have a higher density of tobacco retailers. The easy availability of tobacco products and the constant exposure to marketing make it harder for people in these areas to quit smoking.
Additionally, individuals with blue-collar and construction jobs experience higher rates of smoking. For example, construction workers have a smoking rate of 20.2%, which is five times higher than that of people in the education sector. Military veterans also have a high smoking rate of 21.6%, with the number jumping to 50.2% among male veterans aged 18-25.
Geography also plays a role, with adults in rural communities smoking at a rate of 15.4%, compared to 10.1% in urban areas. People in rural areas tend to start smoking at a younger age, making the addiction more severe and harder to quit.
Overall, the interplay of demographic, social, and economic factors contributes to higher smoking rates in disadvantaged areas. Targeted interventions and policies are necessary to address these disparities and reduce the burden of tobacco-related diseases in vulnerable populations.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that smoking kills more than 24,000 Australians every year.
Smoking causes around 66 deaths every day in Australia.
Smoking is responsible for about 13% of all deaths in Australia.
The leading causes of smoking-related deaths in Australia include cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Yes, the burden of disease from tobacco use is higher in certain groups. For example, people in lower socioeconomic areas, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and individuals in remote regions of Australia experience higher rates of smoking-related deaths.
