The Australian Labor government has announced that the national daily smoking rate has dropped to a historic low. According to a press release from Health Minister Mark Butler’s office, daily smoking among Australians aged 18 and over fell to 5.8% in 2025, down from previous years and well below the government's 10% target. When including those aged 14 and older, the daily smoking rate sits at 5.6%, down from 8.3% in the 2022–2023 period.
The government's figures, drawn from the 2025 National Drug Strategy Household Survey by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, also suggest that overall nicotine use fell to 15.2% over the past year. Minister Butler credited the decline to the government's vaping reforms.
However, these findings contrast with data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in June. The ABS found that national nicotine consumption grew by almost 40% between 2017 and 2025, while the population grew by only 14% during the same period. The ABS attributed this rise to the rapid growth of illicit cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and alternative nicotine products.
This discrepancy has intensified the debate over Australia's high tobacco excise taxes. Critics argue that high taxes fuel the illegal black market and organized crime, prompting calls for a federal tax review.
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil rejected the idea of lowering taxes, stating that the illegal tobacco trade is "not a tax problem, it is an enforcement problem." O'Neil argued that the solution lies in strengthening border protections to intercept illegal imports and working with state authorities to halt sales in local retail shops.
Meet Nick Schager, the co-founder of our vaping website. With a solid foundation of over 10 years in the industry, Nick brings an unparalleled depth of knowledge, having an extensive understanding of more than 1000 vaping products.
