Survey shows fewer smokers
Australia moved closer to its 2030 smoking target after new survey results put daily smoking at 5.6% of people aged 14 and over in 2025.
That figure is 2.7 percentage points lower than in 2022-23. It leaves the country within reach of the national goal of cutting daily smoking to 5% or less by 2030.
Data from the 2025 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, shows smoking has fallen to a historic low.
Professor Garry Jennings AO, the Heart Foundation’s chief medical adviser, said the result showed decades of strong tobacco regulation were working. “Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease and death. Seeing the number of people who smoke fall to record lows is a win for preventive health and a reminder that we must fight hard to keep it low,” he said.
Smoking is a leading cause of cardiovascular death and disease, according to the Heart Foundation. As a result, the group argued that tough enforcement remains the clearest response to illicit tobacco.
Cheaper tobacco would only encourage consumption, the Heart Foundation said, and would not solve organised crime in the illicit market.
Meanwhile, vaping also fell among younger adults. E-cigarette use among 18- to 24-year-olds dropped from 20.6% in 2022-23 to 14% in 2025, while daily use stayed stable.
Professor Jennings linked that decline to stricter federal limits on vapes and e-cigarettes. He said commercial vaping products are now harder to obtain.
Mark Butler targets nicotine pouches
On Friday, 17th July, 2026, Health Minister Mark Butler announced another nicotine control step. He moved to curb access to nicotine pouches by closing Therapeutic Goods Administration pathways for unapproved therapeutics that can be used to obtain them.
Oral nicotine pouches are becoming more popular in Australia. The Heart Foundation warned they offer another path to nicotine addiction, especially for younger people.
Professor Jennings welcomed the move and said it would help keep younger people safe from nicotine addiction. He warned that people who become addicted may look for other nicotine products, including pouches or vapes.
Following the latest survey, the Heart Foundation praised both the vaping restrictions and the nicotine pouch crackdown. It said supply limits and access controls are reducing use more effectively than weaker rules.
People trying to stop smoking or vaping can get free confidential support from Quit at quit.org.au or by phone on 13 78 48.
