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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework - Summary report

Tobacco use

Smoking is a major risk factor for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease – in 2018, it accounted for 37% of the burden due to cancer, 34% of the burden due to cardiovascular disease, and 47% of the burden due to respiratory disease (AIHW 2022b). Overall, 12% of the total disease burden experienced by Indigenous Australians in 2018 was attributed to tobacco use.

The proportion of Indigenous Australians aged 15 and over who smoke every day has fallen substantially over the past decade, from 45% (about 145,800 people) in 2008 to 37% (200,400) in 2018–19.

The largest falls in daily smoking rates have occurred among younger Indigenous Australians. In 2018–19, 85% of Indigenous Australians aged 15–17 reported that they had never smoked, compared with 72% in 2008. The decline in daily smoking rates among Indigenous adults has occurred in non-remote areas – there has been no significant change over this period in daily smoking rates among Indigenous adults in remote areas (Figure 5.10).

Figure 5.10: Indigenous Australians aged 15 and over who were current daily smokers, 2008 to 2018–19

The first chart shows that the proportion of daily smokers for Indigenous Australians was lower in 2018-19 than in 2008 for people aged 15 to 54, and it was slightly higher for people aged 55 and over. The highest proportion of daily smokers in 2018-19 was in the 35-44 age group. The line chart shows that the proportion of daily smokers for Indigenous Australians in non-remote area decreased from 43% in 2008 to 35% in 2018-19, while in remote areas, the proportion was stayed around 50% from 2008 to 2018-19.The line chart shows that the proportion of daily smokers for Indigenous Australians in non-remote area decreased from 43% in 2008 to 35% in 2018-19, while in remote areas, the proportion was stayed around 50% from 2008 to 2018-19.

Source: Measure 2.15, Table D2.15.4 – AIHW and ABS analysis of National Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Social Survey 2008, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey 2012–13 and National Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Health Survey 2018–19.

Table 5.4: Reasons Indigenous Australians tried to quit or reduce smoking, 2014–15 (% of those who tried to quit smoking in last 12 months)

 

% of those who tried to quit smoking in last 12 months 

General health

73%

Cost       

56%

To improve fitness 

31%

Encouraged by family or friends to quit or reduce

27%

Medical advice

17%

Concerned about effect on others in household

16%

Source: Measure 2.15, Table D2.15.11 – AIHW and ABS analysis of National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey 2014–15.

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