Key Points
- Daily smoking among Australians aged 18 and over fell to a record low of 5.8% in 2025.
- The government said the number of daily smokers has declined by around 500,000 over three years.
- Daily smoking among people aged 14 and over fell from 8.3% in 2022-23 to 5.6%.
- Daily vaping rates stabilised at 3.6%.
- Health Minister Mark Butler said vaping reforms were contributing to progress.
- Australia is further tightening access pathways for nicotine pouches.
2Firsts
July 21, 2026
Australia’s daily smoking rate has fallen to its lowest level on record, while changes in nicotine consumption patterns and tighter regulation of emerging nicotine products are reshaping the country’s tobacco policy landscape.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey, daily smoking among Australians aged 18 and over fell to 5.8% in 2025, the lowest level recorded by the survey.
Health Minister Mark Butler said Australia now has around 500,000 fewer daily smokers than three years ago.
“With fewer Australians engaged in daily smoking, we are creating a healthier Australia,” Butler said.
Australia’s Smoking Rate Continues to Decline
The AIHW National Drug Strategy Household Survey tracks long-term trends in tobacco, alcohol and other drug use among Australians.
The latest findings show that daily smoking among Australians aged 18 and over declined to 5.8% in 2025.
Among people aged 14 and over, daily smoking fell from 8.3% in 2022-23 to 5.6%.
The latest figure is also below the federal government’s previous national smoking target of 10% for 2025.
The government said the decline reflects the combined impact of long-term tobacco-control measures, public health initiatives and changing consumer behaviour.
Government Says Vape Reforms Are Making an Impact
Alongside declining cigarette use, the survey shows changes in how Australians consume nicotine.
Health Minister Mark Butler said:
“These results show our world-leading vaping reforms are making a difference, but we know there is still more work to be done to protect Australians from the harms of smoking and vaping.”
However, the relationship between declining smoking rates and vaping policies requires careful interpretation.
The government attributes part of the progress to vaping reforms and broader tobacco-control measures, but the AIHW data itself reflects consumption trends rather than proving that any single policy directly caused the decline.
Vaping Rates Stabilise After Years of Growth
The AIHW data also shows that vaping rates have stabilised after years of increases.
In 2025, daily vaping among Australians aged 14 and over stood at 3.6%.
The proportion of people using vapes declined from 7% in 2022-23 to 6% in 2025.
The government said the trend suggests recent vaping regulations are influencing consumer behaviour.
At the same time, officials said further action is needed to prevent youth access to nicotine products and address illegal vaping markets.
Nicotine Consumption Becomes More Diverse
The latest survey also suggests Australians are increasingly using multiple nicotine products.
The data indicates more people are using three or more different nicotine products.
The shift suggests nicotine consumption is moving away from a cigarette-only model toward a broader market involving:
● cigarettes;
● vaping products;
● other nicotine products.
For regulators, this means tobacco policy is increasingly focused on managing the wider nicotine ecosystem rather than only reducing cigarette smoking.
Australia Tightens Nicotine Pouch Access
Beyond vaping regulation, the Australian government is also increasing restrictions on nicotine pouch access.
From July 24, 2026, consumers will no longer be able to obtain nicotine pouches through unapproved therapeutic pathways.
The government said even consumers with prescriptions will not be able to import nicotine pouches through these channels.
The Special Access Scheme, Authorised Prescriber Scheme and personal importation pathway will also no longer be available for nicotine pouches.
Butler said:
“These reforms are about protecting young people and stopping the illicit market profiting from nicotine addiction in our communities.”
The government said regulatory and enforcement action against illegal nicotine pouch sales will continue.
Australia Moves Toward Broader Nicotine Regulation
The latest figures show that while cigarette consumption continues to decline, Australia’s nicotine market is becoming more diverse.
As vaping products and nicotine pouches become part of the broader nicotine landscape, regulators are shifting attention toward:
● product access;
● youth protection;
● illicit market enforcement;
● emerging nicotine products.
For the industry, Australia is developing a comprehensive regulatory approach: reducing combustible tobacco use while applying tighter controls to newer nicotine categories.
How vaping products and nicotine pouches are managed alongside public health objectives, consumer demand and regulatory requirements will remain a key issue in Australia’s nicotine policy debate.
Follow 2Firsts for the latest updates on global tobacco harm reduction, nicotine products and regulatory developments.
Cover Image：Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler. ｜source: The Mandarin
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