Smoking prevalence in 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] In 2021 to 22 approximately 1.9% (almost 56,118) of all hospital admissions in Australia were due to smoking related illnesses.[3]

  • The latest available national data indicates that fewer people in Australia are smoking daily, and more people have never smoked compared with 20 years ago.[1]

 


About this indicator

This indicator includes adults aged over 16 years in NSW who reported smoking daily and occasionally:

  • The combined daily 8.2% and occasional 3.4% smoking rate for NSW adults was 11.6% in 2022–to2023. The combined rate has gradually reduced overtime from 16% in 2013–to2014.  

NSW Cancer Plan activities 

Preventing and reducing smoking across the state remains a key priority of the Cancer Institute NSW. The Tobacco Control Program works toward four objectives: (1) to contribute to a decline in smoking prevalence in NSW,(2) to contribute to an increase in NSW smokers' intention to quit,(3) to contribute to an increase in those who have never smoked in NSW(4) and to encourage use of quit support services (NSW Quitline and iCanQuit.com.au).[5] 

The Cancer Institute NSW develop campaigns to educate on the risks of smoking and to support smokers to quit.[6] Evidence shows that tobacco control social marketing campaigns are one of the most effective population strategies to reduce tobacco consumption.[7]

The NSW Quitline 13 7848 is a confidential telephone information and counselling service, managed by Cancer Institute NSW, to help smokers and vapers quit and stay quit.[8] 

The Cancer Institute NSW is developing education and training modules to support delivery of brief interventions across a range of health settings.  

The Cancer Institute NSW has also developed a digital tool to support vaping cessation, targeted towards people aged 14–to24 years. Supporting cessation from vaping is important in diverting people away from further use of nicotine products, including tobacco.  

Notes

  1. Data Source: NSW Population Health Survey (SAPHaRI). Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence, NSW Ministry of Health. Data used with permission from HealthStats NSW.[4] 
  2. Data accurate as of August 2025. 

References

  1. 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  

  1. 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  

  1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Smoking and e-cigarettes [Internet]. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024 [cited 6 March 2024]. Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/behaviours-risk-factors/smoking/overview  

  1. HealthStats NSW. Current smoking in adults [Internet]. Sydney: HealthStats NSW, 2025 [cited 11 March 2025]. Available from: Current smoking in adults - HealthStats NSW 

  1. Cancer Institute NSW. Reducing smoking in NSW [Internet]. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW 2022 [cited 6 March 2024]. Available from: https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/prevention-and-screening/preventing-cancer/quit-smoking/reducing-smoking-in-nsw  

  1. Cancer Institute NSW. Quit smoking campaigns [Internet]. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2024 [cited 6 March 2024]. Available from: https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/prevention-and-screening/preventing-cancer/campaigns/quit-smoking-campaigns  

  1. Cancer Institute NSW. ‘16 Cancers’ Tobacco Control Campaign [Internet]. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW [cited 6 March 2024]. Available from: https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/prevention-and-screening/preventing-cancer/campaigns/quit-smoking-campaigns/16-cancers-tobacco-control-campaign  

  1. Cancer Institute NSW. NSW Quitline [Internet]. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2024 [cited 6 March 2024]. Available from: https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/prevention-and-screening/preventing-cancer/quit-smoking/nsw-quitline   

Smoking in pregnancy (Aboriginal women) Electronic cigarette use in adults

Tags:

Tobacco control
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