Leslie Massey
Smoking is a major cause of preventable diseases, illnesses, and deaths in Australia. In 2022-2023, around 18% of Australians aged 14 and above had used illicit drugs in the past year, with tobacco being the most commonly used drug in the country. While smoking rates have declined in recent years, with daily smoking dropping from 20% in 2001 to 9% in 2022-2023, it still remains a significant issue. The average age of adolescents taking up smoking is around 17 years old, and younger age groups are more likely to use e-cigarettes and less likely to smoke tobacco.
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What You'll Learn
Smoking rates by age group
Smoking rates in Australia have been declining since 1991, when the smoking population was 24.3%. In 1995, 23.8% of adults smoked daily, and this figure decreased to 22.4% in 2001 and 20.0% in 2004. By 2021-22, the proportion of current daily smokers in Australia had further decreased to 10.1%. This decline over the last decade has been driven by those aged under 55 years, with the proportion of current daily smokers decreasing in all age groups except for those aged 55-64 years and 65 years and over.
Among young people, vaping is associated with starting to smoke, and vaping rates among Australian secondary school students are much higher than smoking rates, with a younger age of initiation. A 2022-23 survey of Australian secondary school students estimated that 2% of 12-15 year old students had smoked in the week before the survey, and 3% of 16-17 year old students currently smoked. The average age of adolescents taking up smoking is around 17 years old.
Young adults aged 18-24 years were the age group most likely to have never smoked (79.2% in 2022), and the majority (94.1%) of young people aged 15-17 years reported that they had never smoked in 2022, up from 89.9% in 2011-12. The proportion of current daily smokers gradually increased with age until 55-64 years, where it peaked at 13.6%. Older adults aged 75 years and over were less likely than any other adult age group to be current daily smokers (3.0%).
There are disparities in smoking rates between different demographic groups in Australia. For example, people in areas of most disadvantage were more likely to be current daily smokers (16.1%) than those in areas of least disadvantage (5.3%). In 2022, the male smoking rate was higher at 12% and the female smoking rate was lower at 10%, with male smoking rates higher in all adult age groups. Of particular concern is the smoking rate among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, which in 2018-19 was reported to be 43% among people aged 18 years and over, almost 3 times that of the wider community.
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Smoking rates by Indigenous status
Smoking is a major cause of preventable disease, illness, and death in Australia. The Australian government has been trying to reduce smoking rates, especially among Indigenous Australians, who have high smoking rates.
In 2018-19, the self-reported smoking rates for Indigenous Australians aged 15 and over were lowest in the Australian Capital Territory (23%) and highest in the Northern Territory (54%). The proportion of Indigenous Australians aged 15 and over who smoked was lowest in major cities (29%) and highest in very remote areas (58%). Indigenous males had higher smoking rates than Indigenous females (43% and 38%, respectively). The difference in smoking rates between Indigenous males and females was greatest in Outer Regional areas (55% compared to 41%).
The median number of cigarettes smoked daily by Indigenous smokers declined from 12 in 2008 to 10 in 2018-19. In 2018-19, 52% of Indigenous smokers tried to quit smoking in the previous 12 months.
Between 2002 and 2018-19, the decline in smoking rates for Indigenous Australians aged 15 and over was due to changes in non-remote areas, with a 13 percentage point drop (from 50% to 37%). However, the smoking rate for Indigenous Australians in remote areas increased by 1 percentage point during the same period (from 55% to 56%).
Successful smoking cessation increased among Indigenous Australians aged 18 and over from 2002 to 2014-15. This increase was faster for those living in non-remote areas than in remote areas. There was no change in the gap between smoking prevalence in the Indigenous and non-Indigenous adult populations during the 20 years to 2014-15, which remained at around 30 percentage points.
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Smoking rates by socioeconomic status
Smoking is a major cause of preventable disease, illness, and death in Australia. It is estimated that smoking kills almost 20,500 Australians a year (13% of all deaths) and was responsible for 8.6% of the total disease burden in 2018. While smoking rates have been declining in Australia, with younger age groups becoming less likely to smoke tobacco, socioeconomic inequalities persist.
In 2021-22, the proportion of current daily smokers decreased in all age groups except for those aged 55-64 and 65 and over. Notably, the proportion of young people aged 18-24 who were current daily smokers halved between 2011-12 and 2021-22, from 16.5% to 7.1%. Additionally, the majority (96.8%) of people aged 15-17 were current non-smokers in 2021-22, up from 94.2% in 2011-12.
However, socioeconomic status continues to play a significant role in smoking rates. In 2021-22, people living in the most disadvantaged areas were more than three times as likely to be current daily smokers compared to those in the least disadvantaged areas (16.1% vs 5.3%). Similarly, in 2019, daily smoking rates were higher in the most disadvantaged areas (18.1%) compared to the most advantaged areas (5.0%). This disparity is also evident in the spending patterns of different socioeconomic groups, with spending on tobacco products impacting the expenditure on other goods and services, particularly in low-income groups.
Remote and very remote areas of Australia have higher smoking rates, with around 1 in 5 (19.6%) people smoking daily in 2022-23. Additionally, Indigenous Australians are disproportionately affected by smoking. Results from the 2014-15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS) found that over half (63%) of young Indigenous people aged 15-24 reported someone in their household smoked daily.
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Smoking-related deaths
Smoking is a leading cause of preventable disease, illness, and death in Australia. A study of 204,953 individuals aged 45 and above from New South Wales, Australia, found that 5,593 deaths occurred during the follow-up period. Of these deaths, 7.7% were current smokers, and 34.1% were past smokers. Compared to non-smokers, current smokers were almost three times more likely to die, with similar risks for men and women.
In Australia, up to two-thirds of deaths among current smokers can be attributed to smoking. Smoking increases the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and other health problems, making smokers more likely than non-smokers to die prematurely. The risks of adverse health effects increase with the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the duration of smoking.
Tobacco smoke is a known carcinogen, causing cancer in various parts of the body, including the lungs, oro-pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, colorectum, liver, pancreas, kidney, urinary organs, ovary, and bone marrow. Smoking also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and other conditions. The risk of death from smoking-related conditions varies according to historical patterns of smoking within a population, including prevalence, age at initiation, smoking intensity, and duration.
Current smokers in Australia have significantly higher mortality rates from various causes. They are twice as likely to die from respiratory and circulatory diseases, 60% more likely to die from dementia (including Alzheimer's), and have a much higher risk of death from cancer. Specifically, smokers have 13 and 20 times the risk of dying from lung cancer and chronic lung disease, respectively, and twice the risk of coronary heart disease mortality with 1-14 cigarettes per day.
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Smoking cessation
Smoking is a major cause of preventable disease, illness, and death in Australia. While smoking rates are declining, with daily smoking decreasing across all five socioeconomic areas between 2010 and 2019, it is still prevalent, especially in remote and very remote areas, where 19.6% of people smoked daily in 2022-2023. Additionally, in 2019, 18.1% of people in the most disadvantaged areas of Australia smoked daily, compared to 5.0% in the most advantaged areas.
Quitting smoking can be challenging, and successful cessation may take multiple attempts over several years. However, there are effective strategies and resources available to support individuals in their journey to become smoke-free.
Preparation and Planning
The first step to quitting smoking is preparation. Making a quit plan can boost your chances of success. This includes identifying triggers and planning how to fight cravings. It's important to be aware that setbacks may occur, and finding ways to cope without cigarettes is essential.
Support Systems
Social support plays a crucial role in smoking cessation. Involving family, friends, and co-workers can increase the likelihood of success. Additionally, seeking support from experts and professionals can provide valuable guidance and motivation.
Alternative Options
Exploring alternative options, such as e-cigarettes and nicotine replacement products, can be considered. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool is still under debate. Nicotine replacement products, such as patches and gum, can be explored as part of a comprehensive approach to quitting.
Education and Awareness
Understanding the impact of smoking on health and the tactics of the tobacco industry can be a powerful motivator for quitting. Educating oneself about the dangers of smoking and vaping can empower individuals to make informed decisions and develop a tobacco-free lifestyle.
Quitting smoking is a challenging but rewarding journey. By combining preparation, social support, alternative options, and education, individuals can increase their chances of successfully becoming smoke-free and improving their overall health and well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
An estimated 2.57 million people smoke daily in Australia.
In 2022-23, 9% of Australians aged 18 and over smoked daily. This is down from 20% in 2001.
In 2022-23, 70% of people who had ever smoked had quit. This equates to 26% of Australians overall.
In 2022-23, 70% of people had never smoked. This is higher than the number of people who had quit or currently smoke.
A survey of Australian secondary school students in 2022-23 estimated that 2% of 12-15 year olds and 3% of 16-17 year olds currently smoked.
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