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 2022d). 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

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

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

• 2.15 Tobacco use