1.13 Smoking by Australian states and territories

Last updated: March 2021 
Suggested citation: Greenhalgh, EM, Bayly, M, & Scollo M. 1.13 Smoking by Australian states and territories. In Greenhalgh, EM, Scollo, MM and Winstanley, MH [editors].  Tobacco in Australia: Facts and issues. Melbourne: Cancer Council Victoria; 2021. Available from http://www.tobaccoinaustralia.org.au/chapter-1-prevalence/1-13-smoking-states-territories

 

Smoking prevalence varies across Australian states and territories; however, it is important to note that estimates of prevalence in each state and territory may be less reliable than those for the total population.

1.13.1 Latest estimates of prevalence in Australian states and territories

Figure 1.13.1 shows the prevalence of regular (daily + weekly) smoking among Australian men and women aged 18+ by state and territory in 2019.

 

Figure 1.13.1 Prevalence of regular* smoking †, Australians aged 18+, 2019—by each state and territory

* Includes those reporting that they smoke ‘daily’ or ‘at least weekly’.

† Includes persons smoking any combination of cigarettes, pipes or cigars.

‡ All data weighted to the Australian population appropriate for each survey year and may vary slightly from data presented in previous edition

Source: Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer analysis of National Drug Strategy Household Survey data 2019. 1

 

Table 1.13.1 sets out estimates for prevalence of current smoking, ex-smoking and never smoking in each Australian state and territory among males and females 14 years and older in 2019. 2

Table 1.13.1 Prevalence of daily and current smoking* for Australians 14+ by sex, 2019, in each state and territory and Australia (age standardized)
*Includes persons smoking any combination of cigarettes (factory-made and roll-your-own), pipes or cigars

† Smoked more than 100 cigarettes (manufactured or roll-your own) or the equivalent amount of tobacco in their life but reports no longer smoking.

‡Never smoked more than 100 cigarettes (manufactured or roll-your own) or the equivalent amount of tobacco.

^ Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution. See source document for margins of error for all estimates.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Data tables: National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2019 – S. State fact sheet supplementary tables. Table S.8, state and territory tables. Cat. no. PHE 270 Canberra: AIHW, 2020. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey-2019/data.

 

National Health Survey

The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ National Health Survey also provides data on smoking prevalence for each state and territory in 2014–15 and again in 2017–18, see Table 1.14.2. Note data is for Australians 18 and over whereas the data above from the NDSHS is for Australians 14 and over.

 

Table 1.13.2 Prevalence of daily smoking for Australians 18+, 2014–15 and 2017–18, in each state and territory (age adjusted)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, National Health Survey: First Results, 2014–15 and NHS: First Results: 2017–18 and (Table 2.3 Summary health characteristics — states and territories, age adjusted) and Table 2.4 Margins of error of proportion)

 

1.13.2 Trends in prevalence in Australian states and territories

As shown in Figure 1.13.2, since 2001, adults in the Northern Territory (NT) have consistently had the highest level of regular smoking among adults (17% in 2019). In 2019, residents of NT were significantly more likely to be regular smokers than people from NSW, Victoria and ACT (controlling for age and sex). High smoking rates in the NT may reflect the high percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples residing there—smoking rates among all Indigenous Australians were about 39% in 2014–15 3 —see Section 8.3. About 26% of the residents of the NT are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island origin, compared with 5% or less in all other states and territories. 4

Significant linear declines in adult regular smoking prevalence from 2001 to 2019 have been observed in all states and territories (controlling for age and sex). For the most recent period of 2016 to 2019, there were significant declines in smoking prevalence in NSW and Victoria.

 

 

Figure 1.13.2 Prevalence of regular*smoking †, Australians aged 18+, 2001–19—by each Australian state and territory

* Includes those reporting that they smoke ‘daily’ or ‘at least weekly’.

† Includes persons smoking any combination of cigarettes, pipes or cigars.

‡ All data weighted to the Australian population appropriate for each survey year and may vary slightly from data presented in previous edition

Source: Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer analysis of National Drug Strategy Household Survey data since 2001. 

 

Relevant news and research

For recent news items and research on this topic, click here.(Last updated September 2023)

 

References 

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. National Drug Strategy Household Survey, 2019. ADA Dataverse, 2021. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.26193/WRHDUL.

2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Data tables: National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2019 - s. State fact sheet supplementary tables. Cat. no. PHE 270 Canberra: AIHW, 2020. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey-2019/data.

3. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 4714.0 - national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social survey, 2014-15. 2016. Available from: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4714.0

4. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2071.0 - census of population and housing: Reflecting Australia - stories from the census, 2016. 2017. Available from: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/2071.0~2016~Main%20Features~Aboriginal%20and%20Torres%20Strait%20Islander%20Population%20Data%20Summary~10