Smoking prevalence in Aboriginal adults
Why this indicator is important
In 2024, tobacco was the second highest risk factor for burden of disease in Australia.[1]
Tobacco smoke produces cancer-causing chemicals that contribute, most notably, to lung cancer, but also other cancers, for example tongue, mouth throat and stomach.[2]
Approximately one in five of all cancer deaths are due to tobacco smoking.[2]
The latest available data indicate that fewer people in Australia are smoking daily, and more people have never smoked compared with 20 years ago.[1]
The reasons for smoking among Aboriginal people are complex. They include:[3]
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being exposed to smoking early in life and living in a community where smoking is ‘the social norm’
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social disadvantage such as living in poverty, leaving school early and unemployment
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smoking to cope with life stressors such as housing stress, mental illness, alcohol and other drug use, grief and loss
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taking up smoking at an early age
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a culture of sharing, often involving tobacco products
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Addiction. Nicotine is one of the main ingredients in tobacco and is a powerful drug that makes people who smoke addicted.
A key priority for the Cancer Institute NSW is to work with Aboriginal communities to deliver culturally appropriate, comprehensive interventions to reducing smoking rates, including in pregnant women.[3]
About this indicator
This indicator shows the proportion of Aboriginal adults who were non–smokers in NSW, between 2014–to2023.
- In 2023, 70.3% of Aboriginal adults identified as a non-smoker. This percentage has increased from 62.7% in 2014.
NSW Cancer Plan activities
The NSW Quitline for Aboriginal people provides an individually tailored and culturally sensitive service to Aboriginal callers.[3] Quitline for Aboriginal people is a free and confidential phone service. Aboriginal counsellors are available to support Aboriginal people who smoke and/or vape. Quitline for Aboriginal people is available to parents, families and carers of Aboriginal people who smoke and/or vape for information and support.[5]
The Cancer Institute NSW is developing education and training modules to support delivery of brief interventions across a range of health settings, including for health professionals working in Aboriginal health settings.
Notes
Data Source: NSW Population Health Survey (SAPHaRI). Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence, NSW Ministry of Health. Data used with permission from HealthStats NSW.[4]
Data accurate as of August 2025.
References
Alcohol, tobacco & other drugs in Australia [Internet]. Canberra. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [cited 24 February 2025]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/alcohol/alcohol-tobacco-other-drugs-australia/contents/impacts/health-impacts
Cancer Institute NSW. Reducing smoking in NSW [Internet]. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2022 [cited 24 February 2025]. Available from: https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/prevention-and-screening/preventing-cancer/quit-smoking/reducing-smoking-in-nsw
NSW Health. Aboriginal communities and smoking [Internet]. Sydney: NSW Health, 2024 [cited 24 February 2025]. Available from: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/aboriginal-communities-smoking.aspx
HealthStats NSW. Current smoking in adults [Internet]. Sydney: HealthStats NSW, 2025 [cited 11 March 2025]. Available from: Current smoking in adults - HealthStats NSW
Aboriginal Quitline [Internet]. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2024 [cited 24 February 2025]. Available from: https://www.icanquit.com.au/quitting-methods/professional-support-and-advice/quitline/aboriginal-quitline#:~:text=Aboriginal%20Quitline%20is%20a%20free,vape%20for%20information%20and%20support.
- NSW Cancer Plan:
- Focus Community
