Lung Foundation Australia has welcomed new national data showing smoking rates continue to decline across Australia, saying the findings reinforce that comprehensive tobacco control measures are working and must continue.
Results from the latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey released today found daily smoking among Australians aged 14 years and over has fallen to 5.6 per cent in 2025, down from 8.3 per cent in 2022–23. The proportion of people who use nicotine products also declined to a historic low of 15.2 per cent, while vaping among 18 to 24-year-olds fell significantly from 20.6 per cent to 14 per cent.
The findings align with South Australia’s most recent 2025 Population Health Survey, providing further confidence that smoking prevalence continues to decline even as Australia continues to tackle the challenges posed by illicit tobacco and vaping.
Lung Foundation Australia Chief Executive Officer Mark Brooke said the results demonstrate that decades of evidence-based tobacco control policies are delivering real public health benefits.
“The message is clear, Australia’s comprehensive approach to tobacco control is working. Public education, restrictions on access and marketing, strong enforcement and support for people who want to quit are all helping reduce smoking rates and improve the health of Australians,” he said.
“Smoking remains one of Australia’s leading preventable causes of death and disease. Around two in three long-term smokers will die from a smoking-related illness, and thousands of Australian families continue to experience the devastating impact of tobacco-related disease every year.
“Most people who smoke want to quit, but nicotine is a highly addictive drug. That’s why every Australian who wants to quit should have access to affordable, evidence-based treatment and behavioural support.”
Mr Brooke said calls to reduce tobacco excise in response to illicit tobacco risk undermining decades of public health progress.
“Making cigarettes cheaper is not the solution. Lower tobacco excise would primarily benefit multinational tobacco companies while doing little to disrupt the organised criminal networks responsible for the illicit tobacco market,” Mr Brooke said.
“The evidence points us in a different direction. We need to continue investing in the measures we know work, strong enforcement against illegal tobacco and vaping, sustained public education, affordable nicotine replacement therapies and accessible quit support.”
Mr Brooke noted the survey was conducted before many recent tobacco control and enforcement reforms were introduced across states and territories in Australia and said Lung Foundation Australia is optimistic those measures will contribute to further reductions in smoking over time.
An economist commissioned to review the issue indicated that legal and illicit tobacco prices tracked closely until 2020 but have since diverged significantly, with illicit cigarette prices falling before the 5 per cent increase in tobacco excise introduced in 2023. Legal cigarettes are now estimated to cost around $1.50 per cigarette, compared with approximately 70 cents for illicit cigarettes, with cost-of-living pressures influencing consumer purchasing decisions.
Lung Foundation Australia is calling on governments to continue strengthening tobacco control by introducing a national tobacco licensing framework, reducing the number of tobacco retailers, strengthening penalties for illegal tobacco sales, progressing a tobacco and vape-free generation policy, banning political donations from the tobacco industry, and providing free pharmacotherapy and behavioural support for everyone who wants to quit.
“Australia has long been recognised as a global leader in tobacco control,” Mr Brooke said.
“These latest figures show we are moving in the right direction, but the work is not finished. By staying the course and continuing to invest in proven tobacco control measures, we can help more Australians quit, prevent more young people from becoming addicted to nicotine and save lives.”
If you need support to quit smoking or vaping, contact Quitline on 13 78 48 or speak with your GP or healthcare professional.
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