Home » Chapter 1: Prevalence » 1.5 Prevalence of smoking—middle-aged and older adults

1.5 Prevalence of smoking—middle-aged and older adults

Last updated: February 2024
Suggested citation: Greenhalgh, EM, Bayly, M, &Scollo MM 1.5 Prevalence of smoking—middle-aged and older 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/1-5-prevalence-of-smoking-middle-aged-and-older-ad

1.5.1 Latest estimates of prevalence among middle-aged and older adults

The 2022–23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey examined smoking prevalence among adults aged 40 years and over.¹ As noted in the preceding section, people aged under 40 years are generally more likely to smoke than those in older age groups. Table 1.5.1 shows the prevalence of smoking at various frequencies among middle-aged and older adults in 2022–23.

Table 1.5.1 Middle-aged and older adults: percentage of daily, regular* 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 2022–23. 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 35–44 year olds was 10.9%, and 12.1% were current smokers. Among 45–54 year olds, 13.8% were daily smokers and 15.4% were current smokers. Among 55–64 year olds 14.9% were daily smokers and 16.0% were current smokers, and among those aged 65+ 6.3% were daily smokers and 7.1% were current smokers.²

1.5.2 Trends in smoking prevalence among middle-aged and older adults

Consistent with smoking patterns from 2001 onward, data from the AIHW’s National Drug Strategy Household Survey suggests that in 2022–23, middle-aged (50–59 years) and older (60+ years) men appear to have been more likely to have smoked at some time in their lives (that is, to be a current or ex-smoker) than men aged under 40 years . Patterns among women, however, have varied over time. In earlier survey years, middle-aged women were generally more likely to have ever smoked than younger women (aged under 40 years), while older women were less likely than women under 40 years to have ever smoked. From 2013 onwards, both middle-aged and older women had higher smoking prevalence than women under the age of 40.

Decreasing smoking rates among the older population reflect increased quitting activity, with older age having the highest quit proportions (defined as the proportion of ever smokers who have quit smoking).³^,⁴ However, tobacco-caused death and illness occurring among smokers in older age groups are also significant factors in the declining smoking rates seen in the older population, with the greatest proportion of burden of disease due to smoking affecting those aged 55–75 years.⁵

Table 1.5.2 and Figure 1.5.1 show smoking prevalence among middle-aged and older adults since 2001. Between 2019 and 2022–23, there were significant declines in current smoking among men aged 40–49 and 50–59, but no change among the older age groups. The same pattern was seen among women and among the total population.⁶

Table 1.5.2 Middle-aged and older adults—percentage of current* smokers ^† by age group, gender and total population for age group, 2001–2022–23 (%)

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

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

Figure 1.5.1 Prevalence of current* smokers ^† in Australia aged 18+ years, 1995 to 2022–23—by age range ^‡(%)

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

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

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

3. Hill D, White V, and Scollo M. Smoking behaviours of Australian adults in 1995: trends and concerns. Medical Journal of Australia, 1998; 168:209-13. Available from: https://www.mja.com.au/journal/1998/168/5/smoking-behaviours-australian-adults-1995-trends-and-concerns

4. Gartner CE, Barendregt JJ, and Hall WD. Predicting the future prevalence of cigarette smoking in Australia: how low can we go and by when? Tobacco Control, 2009; 18:183-9. Available from: http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/tc.2008.027615v1

5. Begg S, Vos T, Barker B, Stevenson C, Stanley L, et al. The burden of disease and injury in Australia 2003. PHE 82. Canberra: Australian Institute for Health and Welfare, 2007. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/burden-of-disease/burden-of-disease-injury-australia-2003/contents/table-of-contents

6. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Data tables: National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023 – 2. Tobacco smoking. Canberra: AIHW, 2024. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/data