AIHW media releases

Fewer people in Australia are smoking everyday and rates have steadily fallen over the past 2 decades, according to new data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 

Published today, these findings are the first release from the 2025 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS), a long-running national survey tracking alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, as well as community attitudes. More than 17,500 people aged 14 and over participated between June and December 2025. 

Smoking continues long-term decline 

‘Daily smoking rates have more than halved over the past 2 decades, alongside a decline in overall nicotine use, pointing to sustained progress in reducing tobacco use across the population,’ said AIHW spokesperson Louise Gates.

In 2025, 5.6% of people aged 14 and over smoked daily, down from 8.3% in 2022–2023 and 19.5% in 2001. This equates to around 1.3 million people smoking daily, compared with 3.0 million in 2001. 

E-cigarette use stabilises 

Daily e-cigarette use remained relatively stable at 3.6% in 2025, compared with 3.5% in 2022–2023.  

However, fewer people are using e-cigarettes weekly or monthly, contributing to an overall decline in the proportion of people using e-cigarettes.  

Among young adults aged 18–24, daily use remained high at 9.3% in 2022–2023 and 8.3% in 2025, but less frequent use declined from 11.3% to 5.8%. 

Emerging nicotine products and changing use patterns 

The survey also captured emerging nicotine products, including oral nicotine pouches for the first time. Oral nicotine pouches are small, tobacco-free sachets placed between the lip and gum.  

In 2025, 1.8% of people aged 14 and over reported using nicotine pouches in the past year. 

Use of nicotine pouches and traditional snus – a smokeless oral tobacco product – was highest among young people aged 18–24, with 8.4% using nicotine pouches and 3.8% using snus.

Overall, the proportion of people in Australia using any nicotine product in the last year declined from 17.4% in 2022–2023 to 15.2% in 2025, driven by falling smoking and e-cigarette use.

'At the same time, there is growing evidence of people using multiple nicotine products, with use of 3 or more forms increasing over time,’ said Ms Gates.

Rise in illicit tobacco use 

Illicit tobacco use has sharply risen, with 1 in 3 (34%) people who currently smoke reported using illicit tobacco recently in 2025, up from around 1 in 6 (16.7%) in 2022–2023. 

This includes: 

• 22.6% purchasing branded illicit tobacco (without plain packaging or health warnings) in the last 3 months
• 16.4% currently using unbranded loose tobacco
• 57% of those buying branded illicit tobacco reporting purchasing it from a tobacconist.

‘Tracking how people access tobacco and nicotine helps us understand emerging risks and identify where action is needed the most to protect the health of everyone in Australia,’ said Ms Gates.

The AIHW has been collecting and reporting on the National Drug Strategy Household Survey since 1998.

Further results will be released later in 2026:  

• August 2026: More detailed analysis of nicotine use, including emerging products and patterns of use
• Later in 2026: Results on alcohol consumption and illicit drug use

For information about government policy, visit: Tobacco control | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.