Note: A brief summary of prevalence data for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is presented in this section. For extended discussion refer to Chapter 8 Tobacco use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
There have been progressive decreases in smoking prevalence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples over time. Over the 30 years since the first year with reliable prevalence data, the prevalence of current (i.e., daily + less often) smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 15+ has declined from 54.5% in 1994 to 31.5% in 2022–231-4—see Figure 1.9.1.
Between 2004–05 and 2022–23, the prevalence of daily smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 15 years and over decreased from 50.0% to 28.8%.3,5 This is very close to the daily smoking target set in Australia’s National Tobacco Strategy6 of “27% or less by 2030”—seven years away.
See Section 8.3 for a detailed description of smoking prevalence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, and Section 8.4 for a discussion of prevalence among teenagers.
References
1. Thomas DP. Smoking prevalence trends in Indigenous Australians, 1994-2004: a typical rather than an exceptional epidemic. International Journal for Equity in Health, 2009; 8(1):37. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19878593
2. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 4737.0 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: Smoking Trends, Australia, 1994 to 2014-15. 2017. Available from: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4737.0Main+Features11994%20to%202014-15?OpenDocument
3. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 4715.0 - National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, 2018-19: Smoking. ABS, 2019. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4715.0Main%20Features152018-19?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4715.0&issue=2018-19&num=&view=
4. Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, 2022-23. 2024. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples/national-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health-survey/latest-release
5. Lovett R, Thurber KA, Wright A, Maddox R, and Banks E. Deadly progress: changes in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult daily smoking, 2004-2015. Public Health Res Pract, 2017; 27(5):e2751742. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31044210
6. Department of Health and Aged Care. National Tobacco Strategy 2023-2030. Australian Government, 2023. Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-tobacco-strategy-2023-2030?language=en