In a landmark shift, Australia’s daily smoking rate has plummeted to an unprecedented low, with just 5.6% of individuals aged 14 and older lighting up every day in 2025. This revelation comes from the latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey, reflecting a dramatic reduction from the 8.3% recorded in the 2022–23 period. The country is edging closer to achieving its ambitious national goal of slashing daily smoking rates to 5% or below by the year 2030.
Even as smoking figures dwindle, the survey uncovers a troubling rise in illicit tobacco consumption. Currently, about 34% of smokers admit to using illicit tobacco, marking a significant increase from the 16.7% reported in the preceding survey. Notably, more than half of these individuals disclosed that their illicit tobacco purchases were made at tobacconists.
In tandem with the drop in smoking, overall nicotine consumption has also seen a decline, slipping from 17.4% to 15.2%. Meanwhile, vaping among the 18 to 24 age group has decreased from 20.6% to 14%. Yet, the survey highlights an uptick in the use of nicotine pouches and snus, particularly among younger Australians.
The data also shows that more than two-thirds of Australians aged 14 and over have never smoked, representing the highest number ever recorded. This trend underscores the potential effectiveness of existing tobacco control measures, though it also signals emerging challenges in curbing illicit tobacco use.
Public health experts interpret these findings as a call to intensify enforcement actions against the illegal tobacco trade while bolstering ongoing initiatives such as public education campaigns, licensing reforms, and stricter sales regulations. These measures are seen as critical to sustaining the momentum in reducing smoking rates and addressing the complexities of nicotine use in Australia.