GITNUXREPORT 2026

Australian Smoking Statistics

Australia's smoking rates show improvement but remain severe in several disadvantaged groups.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Smoking costs Australian healthcare $6.8 billion annually in 2023 estimates.

Statistic 2

Total economic burden of smoking reached $136.9 billion from 2015-2019.

Statistic 3

Lost productivity from smoking premature deaths: $19.2 billion yearly.

Statistic 4

Residential aged care smoking costs $1.2 billion per year in 2022.

Statistic 5

Medicare expenditure on smoking-related conditions: $2.4 billion in 2021-22.

Statistic 6

Workers' compensation claims for smoking diseases: $800 million annually.

Statistic 7

Fire damage from cigarettes costs $100 million yearly in property losses.

Statistic 8

Cleaning costs for smoking-related litter: $45 million per year.

Statistic 9

Premature retirement due to smoking illnesses: $3.5 billion in lost wages.

Statistic 10

Indigenous smoking economic cost: $3.6 billion annually in health and productivity.

Statistic 11

Youth smoking initiation costs society $500 million in future healthcare.

Statistic 12

E-cigarette market growth offset by $200 million in additional health costs.

Statistic 13

Tobacco tax revenue: $17 billion in 2022-23, but net cost still high.

Statistic 14

Family financial burden from smoking: $1,200 per smoker annually.

Statistic 15

Hospital bed days lost to smoking: 1.2 million, costing $2 billion.

Statistic 16

Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from smoking: 379,000 yearly, valued at $10b.

Statistic 17

NSW smoking costs: $4.3 billion per year in healthcare alone.

Statistic 18

QLD tobacco economic impact: $2.8 billion annually.

Statistic 19

VIC lost productivity from smoking: $5.1 billion yearly.

Statistic 20

WA smoking healthcare costs: $1.1 billion in 2022.

Statistic 21

SA annual smoking burden: $900 million.

Statistic 22

TAS tobacco costs society $400 million yearly.

Statistic 23

NT smoking economic cost: $500 million, disproportionately high.

Statistic 24

ACT healthcare spending on tobacco diseases: $250 million annually.

Statistic 25

Tobacco smoking caused 15,688 deaths in Australia in 2018, or 10.4% of all deaths.

Statistic 26

Lung cancer accounted for 9,098 tobacco-attributable deaths in 2023 estimates.

Statistic 27

COPD deaths linked to smoking numbered 5,289 in Australia in 2022.

Statistic 28

Cardiovascular disease smoking-attributable deaths were 4,921 in 2021.

Statistic 29

Smoking during pregnancy led to 1,200 perinatal deaths annually in recent data.

Statistic 30

Secondhand smoke exposure caused 603 deaths in non-smokers in 2018.

Statistic 31

Smoking-attributable cancer incidence was 16,945 cases in 2022.

Statistic 32

75% of lung cancer cases in Australia are attributable to tobacco smoking.

Statistic 33

Smokers have 15 times higher risk of COPD than non-smokers per AIHW data.

Statistic 34

Annual hospitalisations due to tobacco: 143,000 in 2022-2023.

Statistic 35

Smoking reduces life expectancy by 10 years on average for daily smokers.

Statistic 36

90% of mouth and throat cancers linked to smoking in Australians.

Statistic 37

Stroke risk 4 times higher for smokers aged 35-44 per Heart Foundation.

Statistic 38

Low birth weight from maternal smoking affects 8% of births.

Statistic 39

Secondhand smoke increases child asthma risk by 30% in exposed homes.

Statistic 40

Smoking worsens diabetes control, increasing complications by 40%.

Statistic 41

Oral cancer risk 5-25 times higher for smokers vs non-smokers.

Statistic 42

Erectile dysfunction risk triples for male smokers under 40.

Statistic 43

Smoking accelerates skin aging by 1.4 times faster than non-smokers.

Statistic 44

Rheumatoid arthritis risk doubles for current smokers per studies.

Statistic 45

Hearing loss prevalence 1.7 times higher in smokers aged 48-92.

Statistic 46

Smoking increases hip fracture risk by 59% in postmenopausal women.

Statistic 47

Eye diseases like cataracts 2-3 times more common in smokers.

Statistic 48

Smokers have 30% higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer.

Statistic 49

Tobacco use linked to 20% of bladder cancer cases in Australia.

Statistic 50

Smoking during adolescence doubles lifetime COPD risk.

Statistic 51

Passive smoking causes 18% of coronary heart disease in non-smokers.

Statistic 52

National Tobacco Campaign prompted 300,000 quit attempts in 2023.

Statistic 53

Plain packaging since 2012 reduced smoking prevalence by 0.8%.

Statistic 54

Tobacco taxes increased 300% since 2010, cutting consumption 20%.

Statistic 55

Smokefree legislation in pubs/clubs since 2008 reduced exposure 90%.

Statistic 56

Retail display bans since 2012 dropped impulse buys by 30%.

Statistic 57

National ban on vaping imports without prescription in 2021.

Statistic 58

Prison smoking ban in all jurisdictions by 2015 reduced usage 50%.

Statistic 59

Mass media campaigns cost $100m over decade, yielding $15 return per $1.

Statistic 60

Minimum purchase age 18 enforced with 95% compliance in checks.

Statistic 61

Graphic health warnings cover 87.5% of packs since 2016.

Statistic 62

National Preventative Health Strategy targets 5% prevalence by 2025.

Statistic 63

Tobacco-Free Sports Policy adopted by 80% major events.

Statistic 64

Point-of-sale laws reduced youth exposure to promotions 40%.

Statistic 65

Menthol ban in cigarettes from 2023 in planning stages.

Statistic 66

Indigenous Tobacco Control funding $286m over 10 years.

Statistic 67

Car smoking ban with kids since 2013, 98% awareness.

Statistic 68

National Framework for Aboriginal Tobacco Control 2012-18 extended.

Statistic 69

E-cigarette advertising ban across all media since 2019.

Statistic 70

Workplace smoking bans cover 97% of workers since 2006.

Statistic 71

School tobacco-free policies in 95% of schools nationally.

Statistic 72

NSW $50m annual tobacco control investment.

Statistic 73

VIC Tobacco Strategy 2021-26 with $24m funding.

Statistic 74

QLD 12-month Quit Kit distribution to 100,000 smokers.

Statistic 75

WA $15m Tobacco Control Strategy 2023-28.

Statistic 76

1.3 million Australians quit smoking successfully in the past decade via programs.

Statistic 77

Quitline calls peaked at 142,000 in 2022, leading to 25% quit rates.

Statistic 78

Nicotine replacement therapy users had 50-70% higher success rates in trials.

Statistic 79

Varenicline prescription led to 33% abstinence at 6 months in 2023 data.

Statistic 80

Bupropion success rate: 25% sustained quit at 1 year per studies.

Statistic 81

Hypnotherapy quit rates: 20-35% at 6 months in Australian cohorts.

Statistic 82

Acupuncture showed 15% quit rate vs 10% sham in meta-analyses.

Statistic 83

Mobile apps like QuitNow had 18% user retention quit rate in 2022.

Statistic 84

Workplace cessation programs achieved 28% quit rates in 2023 pilots.

Statistic 85

Indigenous-specific programs like Tackling Indigenous Smoking quit 12% participants.

Statistic 86

Pregnant women quit rates via services: 38% at delivery in 2022.

Statistic 87

Youth quitlines reached 15,000 calls, 40% success under 25.

Statistic 88

Cold turkey quit attempts: 5-7% success at 1 year.

Statistic 89

Behavioural counselling doubled quit rates to 15% in RCTs.

Statistic 90

E-cigarettes for cessation: 14% quit rate vs 6% NRT in trials.

Statistic 91

GP advice led to 10% quit attempts, 3% sustained.

Statistic 92

Pharmacist interventions: 22% quit rate at 3 months.

Statistic 93

Online programs like QuitCoach: 11% verified quits.

Statistic 94

Incentives programs boosted quits by 25% in trials.

Statistic 95

Mindfulness apps for quitting: 19% success in 2023 studies.

Statistic 96

Group therapy sessions: 24% abstinence at 12 months.

Statistic 97

Laser therapy claims 40% quit rate, but evidence limited to 18%.

Statistic 98

Hospital in-reach programs: 35% quit post-discharge.

Statistic 99

Veteran quit programs: 20% success rate.

Statistic 100

Rural telehealth quitting: 16% sustained quit.

Statistic 101

NSW Quit for Life: 30,000 quits annually.

Statistic 102

VIC Fresh Start: 25% quit rate among participants.

Statistic 103

QLD 1800 QUIT: 50,000 calls/year, 20% quit.

Statistic 104

WA Quitline: 18% biochemical validation.

Statistic 105

In 2022-2023, 8.3% of Australians aged 14 and over smoked tobacco daily, equating to approximately 1.8 million people.

Statistic 106

Among Australian adults aged 18-24, daily smoking prevalence was 5.2% in 2022-2023, a significant decline from 16.5% in 2016.

Statistic 107

Indigenous Australians had a daily smoking rate of 20% in 2022-2023, compared to 7.4% for non-Indigenous adults aged 14+.

Statistic 108

In New South Wales, 7.9% of adults aged 18+ were daily smokers in 2022, lower than the national average.

Statistic 109

Victorian adults showed a daily smoking prevalence of 7.1% in 2023 surveys, with higher rates in regional areas at 9.2%.

Statistic 110

Queensland's daily smoking rate for adults was 9.8% in 2022-2023, with males at 11.2% and females at 8.5%.

Statistic 111

South Australian adults aged 15+ had 8.5% daily smoking in 2022, down 2.1% from 2019.

Statistic 112

Western Australia's smoking prevalence among adults was 7.9% daily in 2023, with a notable drop in Perth metro at 6.8%.

Statistic 113

Tasmania recorded 12.1% daily smoking among adults in 2022, the highest state rate.

Statistic 114

Northern Territory adults had 14.3% daily smoking prevalence in 2022-2023, driven by remote Indigenous communities.

Statistic 115

ACT's daily smoking rate was 5.7% for adults in 2023, the lowest nationally.

Statistic 116

Males in Australia smoked daily at 9.1% vs 7.6% for females in 2022-2023.

Statistic 117

People aged 40-49 had the highest daily smoking rate at 10.2% in 2022-2023.

Statistic 118

Low socioeconomic status groups had 13.4% daily smoking prevalence vs 4.1% in high SES in 2022.

Statistic 119

Rural Australians smoked daily at 10.5% compared to 7.1% in major cities in 2023.

Statistic 120

4.6% of Australians aged 14+ were occasional smokers in 2022-2023.

Statistic 121

Youth aged 12-17 had 0.8% daily smoking rate in 2022-2023, down from 3% in 2017.

Statistic 122

Pregnant women smoking rate was 8.1% in 2022, higher among Indigenous mothers at 41%.

Statistic 123

E-cigarette use among daily smokers was 22% in 2022-2023.

Statistic 124

Roll-your-own tobacco use among smokers was 42% in 2022.

Statistic 125

Average cigarettes per day for daily smokers was 13.5 in 2022-2023.

Statistic 126

Smoking prevalence in construction workers was 18.7% daily in 2022.

Statistic 127

Among veterans, daily smoking was 12.4% in recent surveys.

Statistic 128

LGBTIQ+ Australians had 14.2% smoking rate vs 8.3% general population in 2022.

Statistic 129

Disability support recipients smoked at 22.1% daily in 2023 data.

Statistic 130

University-educated adults smoked at 4.8% vs 12.6% non-tertiary in 2022.

Statistic 131

In prisons, 70% of inmates smoked daily pre-ban in 2022 surveys.

Statistic 132

Hospitality workers had 15.3% daily smoking in 2023.

Statistic 133

Among 65+, daily smoking was 4.9% in 2022-2023.

Statistic 134

Remote Indigenous communities had 45% smoking prevalence in 2022.

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While the sight of someone lighting up a cigarette is becoming increasingly rare in Australia's cities, the statistics reveal a complex and persistent national health challenge that stretches far beyond the iconic smoke-free beaches.

Key Takeaways

In 2022-2023, 8.3% of Australians aged 14 and over smoked tobacco daily, equating to approximately 1.8 million people.
Among Australian adults aged 18-24, daily smoking prevalence was 5.2% in 2022-2023, a significant decline from 16.5% in 2016.
Indigenous Australians had a daily smoking rate of 20% in 2022-2023, compared to 7.4% for non-Indigenous adults aged 14+.
Tobacco smoking caused 15,688 deaths in Australia in 2018, or 10.4% of all deaths.
Lung cancer accounted for 9,098 tobacco-attributable deaths in 2023 estimates.
COPD deaths linked to smoking numbered 5,289 in Australia in 2022.
Smoking costs Australian healthcare $6.8 billion annually in 2023 estimates.
Total economic burden of smoking reached $136.9 billion from 2015-2019.
Lost productivity from smoking premature deaths: $19.2 billion yearly.
1.3 million Australians quit smoking successfully in the past decade via programs.
Quitline calls peaked at 142,000 in 2022, leading to 25% quit rates.
Nicotine replacement therapy users had 50-70% higher success rates in trials.
National Tobacco Campaign prompted 300,000 quit attempts in 2023.
Plain packaging since 2012 reduced smoking prevalence by 0.8%.
Tobacco taxes increased 300% since 2010, cutting consumption 20%.

Australia's smoking rates show improvement but remain severe in several disadvantaged groups.

Economic Costs

Smoking costs Australian healthcare $6.8 billion annually in 2023 estimates.
Total economic burden of smoking reached $136.9 billion from 2015-2019.
Lost productivity from smoking premature deaths: $19.2 billion yearly.
Residential aged care smoking costs $1.2 billion per year in 2022.
Medicare expenditure on smoking-related conditions: $2.4 billion in 2021-22.
Workers' compensation claims for smoking diseases: $800 million annually.
Fire damage from cigarettes costs $100 million yearly in property losses.
Cleaning costs for smoking-related litter: $45 million per year.
Premature retirement due to smoking illnesses: $3.5 billion in lost wages.
Indigenous smoking economic cost: $3.6 billion annually in health and productivity.
Youth smoking initiation costs society $500 million in future healthcare.
E-cigarette market growth offset by $200 million in additional health costs.
Tobacco tax revenue: $17 billion in 2022-23, but net cost still high.
Family financial burden from smoking: $1,200 per smoker annually.
Hospital bed days lost to smoking: 1.2 million, costing $2 billion.
Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from smoking: 379,000 yearly, valued at $10b.
NSW smoking costs: $4.3 billion per year in healthcare alone.
QLD tobacco economic impact: $2.8 billion annually.
VIC lost productivity from smoking: $5.1 billion yearly.
WA smoking healthcare costs: $1.1 billion in 2022.
SA annual smoking burden: $900 million.
TAS tobacco costs society $400 million yearly.
NT smoking economic cost: $500 million, disproportionately high.
ACT healthcare spending on tobacco diseases: $250 million annually.

Economic Costs Interpretation

While Australia pockets billions in tobacco taxes, the nation is ironically burning through trillions in health, productivity, and social costs, making smoking a disastrously bad investment for every taxpayer.

Health Impacts

Tobacco smoking caused 15,688 deaths in Australia in 2018, or 10.4% of all deaths.
Lung cancer accounted for 9,098 tobacco-attributable deaths in 2023 estimates.
COPD deaths linked to smoking numbered 5,289 in Australia in 2022.
Cardiovascular disease smoking-attributable deaths were 4,921 in 2021.
Smoking during pregnancy led to 1,200 perinatal deaths annually in recent data.
Secondhand smoke exposure caused 603 deaths in non-smokers in 2018.
Smoking-attributable cancer incidence was 16,945 cases in 2022.
75% of lung cancer cases in Australia are attributable to tobacco smoking.
Smokers have 15 times higher risk of COPD than non-smokers per AIHW data.
Annual hospitalisations due to tobacco: 143,000 in 2022-2023.
Smoking reduces life expectancy by 10 years on average for daily smokers.
90% of mouth and throat cancers linked to smoking in Australians.
Stroke risk 4 times higher for smokers aged 35-44 per Heart Foundation.
Low birth weight from maternal smoking affects 8% of births.
Secondhand smoke increases child asthma risk by 30% in exposed homes.
Smoking worsens diabetes control, increasing complications by 40%.
Oral cancer risk 5-25 times higher for smokers vs non-smokers.
Erectile dysfunction risk triples for male smokers under 40.
Smoking accelerates skin aging by 1.4 times faster than non-smokers.
Rheumatoid arthritis risk doubles for current smokers per studies.
Hearing loss prevalence 1.7 times higher in smokers aged 48-92.
Smoking increases hip fracture risk by 59% in postmenopausal women.
Eye diseases like cataracts 2-3 times more common in smokers.
Smokers have 30% higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
Tobacco use linked to 20% of bladder cancer cases in Australia.
Smoking during adolescence doubles lifetime COPD risk.
Passive smoking causes 18% of coronary heart disease in non-smokers.

Health Impacts Interpretation

While the package may boast a "cool" factor, it's remarkably efficient at delivering a comprehensive health crisis, systematically dismantling everything from your lungs and heart to your skin and hearing, while also casting a long shadow over the lives of the innocent bystanders and unborn children who never even took a puff.

Policy and Regulation

National Tobacco Campaign prompted 300,000 quit attempts in 2023.
Plain packaging since 2012 reduced smoking prevalence by 0.8%.
Tobacco taxes increased 300% since 2010, cutting consumption 20%.
Smokefree legislation in pubs/clubs since 2008 reduced exposure 90%.
Retail display bans since 2012 dropped impulse buys by 30%.
National ban on vaping imports without prescription in 2021.
Prison smoking ban in all jurisdictions by 2015 reduced usage 50%.
Mass media campaigns cost $100m over decade, yielding $15 return per $1.
Minimum purchase age 18 enforced with 95% compliance in checks.
Graphic health warnings cover 87.5% of packs since 2016.
National Preventative Health Strategy targets 5% prevalence by 2025.
Tobacco-Free Sports Policy adopted by 80% major events.
Point-of-sale laws reduced youth exposure to promotions 40%.
Menthol ban in cigarettes from 2023 in planning stages.
Indigenous Tobacco Control funding $286m over 10 years.
Car smoking ban with kids since 2013, 98% awareness.
National Framework for Aboriginal Tobacco Control 2012-18 extended.
E-cigarette advertising ban across all media since 2019.
Workplace smoking bans cover 97% of workers since 2006.
School tobacco-free policies in 95% of schools nationally.
NSW $50m annual tobacco control investment.
VIC Tobacco Strategy 2021-26 with $24m funding.
QLD 12-month Quit Kit distribution to 100,000 smokers.
WA $15m Tobacco Control Strategy 2023-28.

Policy and Regulation Interpretation

Australia has thrown the kitchen sink at smoking—from terrifying packs to price hikes and outright bans—and while the battle isn't over, the stats show a nation methodically grinding a deadly habit to ash.

Quitting and Cessation

1.3 million Australians quit smoking successfully in the past decade via programs.
Quitline calls peaked at 142,000 in 2022, leading to 25% quit rates.
Nicotine replacement therapy users had 50-70% higher success rates in trials.
Varenicline prescription led to 33% abstinence at 6 months in 2023 data.
Bupropion success rate: 25% sustained quit at 1 year per studies.
Hypnotherapy quit rates: 20-35% at 6 months in Australian cohorts.
Acupuncture showed 15% quit rate vs 10% sham in meta-analyses.
Mobile apps like QuitNow had 18% user retention quit rate in 2022.
Workplace cessation programs achieved 28% quit rates in 2023 pilots.
Indigenous-specific programs like Tackling Indigenous Smoking quit 12% participants.
Pregnant women quit rates via services: 38% at delivery in 2022.
Youth quitlines reached 15,000 calls, 40% success under 25.
Cold turkey quit attempts: 5-7% success at 1 year.
Behavioural counselling doubled quit rates to 15% in RCTs.
E-cigarettes for cessation: 14% quit rate vs 6% NRT in trials.
GP advice led to 10% quit attempts, 3% sustained.
Pharmacist interventions: 22% quit rate at 3 months.
Online programs like QuitCoach: 11% verified quits.
Incentives programs boosted quits by 25% in trials.
Mindfulness apps for quitting: 19% success in 2023 studies.
Group therapy sessions: 24% abstinence at 12 months.
Laser therapy claims 40% quit rate, but evidence limited to 18%.
Hospital in-reach programs: 35% quit post-discharge.
Veteran quit programs: 20% success rate.
Rural telehealth quitting: 16% sustained quit.
NSW Quit for Life: 30,000 quits annually.
VIC Fresh Start: 25% quit rate among participants.
QLD 1800 QUIT: 50,000 calls/year, 20% quit.
WA Quitline: 18% biochemical validation.

Quitting and Cessation Interpretation

While Australians are stubbornly ingenious at finding ways to quit smoking—from vaping and hypnotherapy to being bribed and digitally nagged—the cold, hard truth is that the most effective method seems to be anything other than relying on willpower alone.

Smoking Prevalence

In 2022-2023, 8.3% of Australians aged 14 and over smoked tobacco daily, equating to approximately 1.8 million people.
Among Australian adults aged 18-24, daily smoking prevalence was 5.2% in 2022-2023, a significant decline from 16.5% in 2016.
Indigenous Australians had a daily smoking rate of 20% in 2022-2023, compared to 7.4% for non-Indigenous adults aged 14+.
In New South Wales, 7.9% of adults aged 18+ were daily smokers in 2022, lower than the national average.
Victorian adults showed a daily smoking prevalence of 7.1% in 2023 surveys, with higher rates in regional areas at 9.2%.
Queensland's daily smoking rate for adults was 9.8% in 2022-2023, with males at 11.2% and females at 8.5%.
South Australian adults aged 15+ had 8.5% daily smoking in 2022, down 2.1% from 2019.
Western Australia's smoking prevalence among adults was 7.9% daily in 2023, with a notable drop in Perth metro at 6.8%.
Tasmania recorded 12.1% daily smoking among adults in 2022, the highest state rate.
Northern Territory adults had 14.3% daily smoking prevalence in 2022-2023, driven by remote Indigenous communities.
ACT's daily smoking rate was 5.7% for adults in 2023, the lowest nationally.
Males in Australia smoked daily at 9.1% vs 7.6% for females in 2022-2023.
People aged 40-49 had the highest daily smoking rate at 10.2% in 2022-2023.
Low socioeconomic status groups had 13.4% daily smoking prevalence vs 4.1% in high SES in 2022.
Rural Australians smoked daily at 10.5% compared to 7.1% in major cities in 2023.
4.6% of Australians aged 14+ were occasional smokers in 2022-2023.
Youth aged 12-17 had 0.8% daily smoking rate in 2022-2023, down from 3% in 2017.
Pregnant women smoking rate was 8.1% in 2022, higher among Indigenous mothers at 41%.
E-cigarette use among daily smokers was 22% in 2022-2023.
Roll-your-own tobacco use among smokers was 42% in 2022.
Average cigarettes per day for daily smokers was 13.5 in 2022-2023.
Smoking prevalence in construction workers was 18.7% daily in 2022.
Among veterans, daily smoking was 12.4% in recent surveys.
LGBTIQ+ Australians had 14.2% smoking rate vs 8.3% general population in 2022.
Disability support recipients smoked at 22.1% daily in 2023 data.
University-educated adults smoked at 4.8% vs 12.6% non-tertiary in 2022.
In prisons, 70% of inmates smoked daily pre-ban in 2022 surveys.
Hospitality workers had 15.3% daily smoking in 2023.
Among 65+, daily smoking was 4.9% in 2022-2023.
Remote Indigenous communities had 45% smoking prevalence in 2022.

Smoking Prevalence Interpretation

While Australia has made great strides in collectively kicking the habit, smoking's stubborn persistence as a national health issue is laid bare by the chasm between a trendy 5.7% in the ACT and a tragic 45% in remote Indigenous communities, proving that socio-economic disadvantage, not just personal choice, is the real addiction we still need to break.

Sources & References

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