1.4 Prevalence of smoking—young adults

Last updated: February 2024
Suggested citation: Greenhalgh, EM, Bayly, M, & Scollo, M. 1.4 Prevalence of smoking—young adults. In Greenhalgh, EM, Scollo, MM and Winstanley, MH [editors].  Tobacco in Australia: Facts and issues. Melbourne: Cancer Council Victoria; 2024. Available from  http://www.tobaccoinaustralia.org.au/chapter-1-prevalence/1-4-prevalence-of-smoking-young-adults

 

Young adults are defined here as people between the age of 18 and 39 years.

1.4.1 Latest estimates of prevalence of smoking among young adults

The 2022–23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey examined smoking prevalence among young adults,1 as shown in Table 1.4.1 by age group and gender.

Table 1.4.1 Young adults: percentage of daily, occasional, and current smokers* 2022–23—by age group, gender and total population (%)

* 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.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Data tables: National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2023–24. Tobacco smoking chapter, Supplementary data tables, Table 2.4. Canberra: AIHW, 2024. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about   

The Australian Bureau of Statistics also collects data on smoking status among Australians aged 15 years and over. In 2022, the prevalence of daily smoking among 18–24 year olds was 7.3%, and 11.1% were current smokers. Among 25–34 year olds, 10.9% were daily smokers and 12.9% were current smokers.2

1.4.2 Trends in smoking prevalence among young adults

Table 1.4. 2 shows smoking prevalence data from the AIHW’s National Drug Strategy Household Survey for men and women in three age groups spanning young adulthood to early middle age, between 2001 and 2022–23—see also Figure 1.5.1.

Table 1.4.2  Young adults—percentage of current* smokers from 2001 to 2022–23, by age group and gender and total population (%)

 

* Includes those reporting that they smoke ‘daily’, ‘weekly’, or ‘less than weekly’.

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

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Data tables: National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2023–24. Tobacco smoking chapter, Supplementary data tables, Table 2.4. Canberra: AIHW, 2024. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about  

Relevant news and research

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References

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023. Canberra: AIHW, 2024. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey

2. Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Health Survey.  2022. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey/2022