Smoking prevalence in adults

Why this indicator is important

Tobacco smoking is the single most important cause of preventable ill health and death in Australia.[1] Tobacco smoke creates cancer-causing chemicals that can cause cancers of the lungs, tongue, mouth throat and stomach.[2]

  • Lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer-related death in NSW in 2021, resulting in 2,749 deaths.[1]
  • In 2021–22 approximately 1.9% (almost 56,118) of all hospital admissions in Australia were due to smoking related illnesses.[3]
  • Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to improve your health and reduce your risk of cancer, even if you have smoked for a long time.[4]
  • The Cancer Institute NSW develop campaigns to educate on the risks of smoking and to support smokers to quit.[5] Evidence shows that tobacco control social marketing campaigns are one of the most effective population strategies to reduce tobacco consumption.[6]
  • The NSW Quitline 13 7848 (13 QUIT) is a confidential telephone information and counselling service, managed by Cancer Institute NSW, to help smokers and vapers quit and stay quit.[7]

Smoking rate in adults*, NSW, 2013–2022**

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 (3.2%) smoking rate for NSW adults was 11.4% in 2022. This has gradually reduced overtime from 16.4% in 2013.

* People aged 16 years and over.

** Mobile phone numbers have been included in the survey sample since 2012. Any significant differences observed between 2011 and 2012 estimates should be reported with caution, as they may reflect both real and survey design changes.

Notes

1. Data source: NSW Population Health Survey (sourced from HealthStats NSW, Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence, NSW Ministry of Health). Available at Healthstats.nsw.gov.au (accessed August 2023).

2. There has been a change in the methodology used to report smoking rates. In this report we are reporting data for daily and occasional smokers.

References

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

2. 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

3. Cancer Institute NSW. Reporting for Better Outcomes. Annual statewide report, 2022. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2022.

4. Cancer Institute NSW. Ten tips to quit smoking [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/ten-tips-to-quit-smoking

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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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