Smoking rates fall to historic low across Australia despite the rise of illicit tobacco
Australian daily smoking rates have reached a historic low of 5.6%, according to a national survey. However, the data also reveals a concerning increase in the use of illicit tobacco products among those who continue to smoke.
Why it matters
Highlights the success of public health anti-smoking campaigns while identifying a new challenge in the form of the illicit tobacco market.
Smokers are increasingly using illicit tobacco, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s national drug survey has found. Smokers are increasingly using illicit tobacco, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s national drug survey has found. Health Smoking rates fall to historic low across Australia despite the rise of illicit tobacco Long-running AIHW survey shows daily rates of smoking dropped to 5.6% last year – down from 8.3% two years ago
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Prefer the Guardian on Google Daily smoking rates have fallen to a historic low and are tracking well ahead of national targets, while vaping rates have stabilised, according to the largest nationally representative survey on tobacco use.
But those who do smoke are increasingly using illicit tobacco, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) National Drug Strategy Household Survey also found.
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