Goal 11: Never smoked—people aged 18–24

This indicator reports on the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18–24 who have never smoked. The goal for this indicator is 52% by 2023.

Why is it important?

Smoking is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in Australia. In the Australian Burden of Disease Study 2018, tobacco smoking was estimated to contribute 12% of the disease burden among Indigenous Australians (AIHW 2021).

What data are available?

Data for this indicator were sourced from the ABS National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health surveys and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social surveys.

What do the data show?

There is no new data available since the last update, however the most recent assessment showed that progress towards the goal was on track.

  • The rate for 2018–19 was 50%, which was above the required trajectory point of 48% to meet the goal.
  • The proportion of Indigenous Australians aged 18–24 who had never smoked increased over time—from 34% in 2002 to 50% in 2018–19.

In 2018–19:

  • 50% of Indigenous Australians aged 18–24 had never smoked
  • 54% of Indigenous Australians aged 18–24 in Non-remote areas had never smoked, compared with 31% in Remote areas
  • Indigenous females aged 18–24 were more likely to have never smoked than Indigenous males of this age—52% compared with 47%.

Figure 11.1: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18–24 who reported having never smoked

This figure shows the baseline data from 2002 to 2012–13, trajectory to the goal from 2014 to 2023. New data from 2014 to 2018 for the proportion of Indigenous Australians aged 18–24 who have never smoked are plotted. New data show that in 2018–19, 50.0% of Indigenous Australians aged 18–24 had never smoked. This is above the trajectory to reach the goal.

Figure 11.2: Australians aged 18–24 who reported having never smoked, by sex and Indigenous status, 2018–19

The figure shows the proportions of Indigenous Australians aged 18–24 who have never smoked, by sex and Indigenous status. It shows that females are more likely to have never smoked among both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians (51.5% and 81.9% respectively). It also shows that Indigenous Australians aged 18–24 are less likely to have never smoked than non-Indigenous Australians aged 18–24 (50.0% and 75.8%).

Figure 11.3: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18–24 who reported having never smoked, by remoteness, 2018–19

The figure shows that Indigenous Australians aged 18–24 are more likely to have never smoked in non-remote areas (54.1%) than in remote areas (30.9%).

Reference

AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) 2021. Australian Burden of Disease Study 2018: key findings for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Cat. no. BOD 28. Canberra: AIHW. Viewed 8 October 2021.