Australia’s smoking rates hit historic low despite illicit tobacco concerns

Australia’s smoking rate has reached its lowest level on record, with new results from the country’s most trusted national survey showing fewer people are smoking than ever before. 

Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) say the findings demonstrate that comprehensive tobacco control policies continue to drive smoking rates down, including among young people.  

The findings come from the 2025 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, Australia’s largest and longest-running national survey of smoking, vaping and other drug use, involving more than 17,500 people aged 14 and over. 

The latest results show daily smoking among people in Australia aged 14 and over fell from 8.3 per cent in 2022–23 to 5.6 per cent in 2025.  

Among adults aged 18 and over, daily smoking has dropped from 20.1 per cent in 2001 to just 5.8 per cent in 2025. Recent findings from South Australia, Queensland and NSW also show falls in smoking.  

Current e-cigarette use also declined among young adults, with no corresponding increase in smoking.  

Distinguished Professor Emily Banks from the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (NCEPH) said the findings show Australia continues to make significant progress in reducing one of the country’s leading causes of preventable death.  

“Smoking kills around 66 people in Australia every day. That is 66 families and loved ones burying someone needlessly, day in, day out,” Distinguished Professor Banks said. 

“Up to two thirds of people who smoke long term will die from their habit if they don’t quit, losing many good years of life.”  

Distinguished Professor Banks said that progress against tobacco reflects community efforts and the future they want.  

“The results show that more than 90 per cent of people in Australia do not smoke, and we know that 90 per cent of people who smoke wish they’d never started, so virtually everyone wants to live smoke-free,” Distinguished Professor Banks said.  

“Australia is a world leader in tobacco control but people who profit from tobacco want to paint Australia as a failure.” 

Associate Professor Raglan Maddox from NCEPH said the findings represent an important public health achievement, with these early findings being consistent with Australia’s vaping reforms contributing to protecting young people from nicotine addiction.  

“These findings mean fewer people smoking, fewer families experiencing preventable tobacco-related harms, and more communities moving towards a future free from the harms caused by commercial tobacco and harmful nicotine products,” Associate Professor Maddox said.  

While smoking rates continue to decline, the researchers say illicit tobacco remains a significant challenge, with around one in three people who smoke reporting recent use of illicit tobacco.  

“While we celebrate community achievements, progress on smoking is constantly under threat and hard work remains, especially in supporting priority populations and combatting illicit tobacco,” Distinguished Professor Banks said.  

“Evidence shows that to accelerate progress and reduce illicit tobacco and organised crime we need to enforce strong tobacco laws, support hard-hitting media campaigns and maximise help for quitting. Now would also be a good time to think about the ways to reduce the number of tobacco retailers.” 

Associate Professor Maddox said it was equally important to ensure the benefits of declining smoking rates were shared across the community.  

“National progress is important, but national averages do not tell us whether that progress is being shared equitably,” Associate Professor Maddox said.  

“We must continue investing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-led, culturally safe approaches, alongside strong support for all communities carrying a disproportionate burden of tobacco-related harm.” 

The National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights is now available online.