QIM 2: Proportion of regular clients with a current smoking status recorded in their GP record

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Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable diseases and death in Australia. Smoking was responsible for 9.3% of the total burden of disease in Australia in 2015, making it the leading risk factor contributing to disease burden. Almost three-quarters (73%) of the burden due to smoking was due to premature death (AIHW 2019). Successful public health strategies over many decades have resulted in a significant decline in daily smoking proportions. Despite these positive changes, the harm from tobacco smoking continues to affect current smokers and ex-smokers, as well as non-smokers through their exposure to second-hand smoke (AIHW 2019).

Capture of results recorded outside of the general practice setting

Where a smoking status was recorded elsewhere (for example, smoking rehabilitation centre, community health centre etc.) and the information is not recorded in the clinical information system of the client’s usual general practice (for example, due to incompatible clinical information system between a practice and another service), then these data may not be captured in the report.

Other sources of relevant data

Data on prevalence of health risk factors such as smoking status are captured in the National Health Survey (NHS) conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) conducted by the AIHW and the survey on smoking conducted by the Cancer Council Victoria.

This indicator contains two parts:

  • QIM 2a - Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status has been recorded in their GP record
    • in the last 12 months for those aged 15-29; and
    • since turning 30 for those aged 30 and over.
  • QIM 2b - Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status has been recorded in their GP record (in the last 12 months for those aged 15-29 and since turning 30 for those aged 30 and over) as one of the following: current smoker; ex-smoker; or never smoked.

QIM 2a - Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status has been recorded

Regional proportions

As of July 2021, nationally, 66.1% of regular clients aged 15 years and over had their smoking status recorded in their GP record (where recorded means in the previous 12 months for those aged 15-29 and since the age of 30 for those aged 30 years and over). This varied from 55.4% to 73.7% across PHNs.

Figure 8: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a smoking status recorded, in their GP record, by PHN, July 2021

Figure 8: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a smoking status recorded, in their GP record, by PHN, July 2021

Nationally between October 2020 and July 2021, the proportion of regular clients with a smoking status recorded in their GP record decreased by 2.3%, from 68.4% and 66.1% respectively.

Figure 9: National proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a smoking status recorded, in their GP record, October 2020 to July 2021

Figure 9: National proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a smoking status recorded, in their GP record, by PHN, July 2021

Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status has been recorded by age and sex

Separate graphs are provided for the 15-34 years and the 35 years and over age groups. It is difficult to compare the results captured in Figures 10a and 10b because the counting rules for whether smoking status is recorded changes from the age of 30 years. The age group most affected by this change, 25-34 years, cannot be separated due to the way the specifications were developed. The AIHW is working with stakeholders to review the counting rules behind these specifications and to align the data capture.

As of July 2021, nationally, the proportion of regular clients who were aged 15 to 34 years, whose most recent smoking status was recorded in their GP was:

  • 22.4% and 19.6% respectively for females and males aged 15 to 24 years and
  • 36.1% and 35.8% respectively for females and males aged 25 to 34 years.

Figure 10a: Proportion of regular clients aged 15-34 years with a smoking status recorded in their GP record, by age and sex, July 2021

Figure 10a: Proportion of regular clients aged 15-34 years with a smoking status recorded in their GP record, by age and sex, July 2021

As of July 2021, nationally, the proportion of regular clients who were aged 35 years and over (whose most recent smoking status was recorded in their GP record since turning 30 years) increased with age and was:

  • highest in the 55-64 year age group for both females (85.1%) and males (85.3%).
  • lowest in the 35-44 year age group for both females (75.4%) and males (78.6%).

Figure 10b: Proportion of regular clients aged 35 years and over with a smoking status recorded in their GP record, since turning 30 years, by age and sex, July 2021

Figure 10b: Proportion of regular clients aged 35 years and over with a smoking status recorded in their GP record, since turning 30 years, by age and sex, July 2021

QIM 2b - Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status has been recorded as either current smoker, ex-smoker, or never smoked

Regional Proportion

As of July 2021, nationally, 14.7% of regular clients aged 15 years and over, whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record, were classified as current smokers. This varied from 7.4% to 23.5% across PHNs.

Figure 11: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record who were classified as a “current smoker”, by PHN, July 2021

Figure 11: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record who were classified as a “current smoker”, by PHN, July 2021

As of July 2021, nationally, 22.4% of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record were classified as ex-smokers. This varied from 13.9% to 31.8% across PHNs.

Figure 12: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record who were classified as an “ex-smoker”, by PHN, July 2021

Figure 12: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record who were classified as an “ex-smoker”, by PHN, July 2021

As of July 2021, nationally, 62.8% of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record were classified as never having smoked. This varied from 50.8% to 74.9% across PHNs.

Figure 13: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record who were classified as “never smoked”, by PHN, July 2021

Figure 13: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record who were classified as “never smoked”, by PHN, July 2021

National proportions by age and sex

As of July 2021, nationally, the proportion of regular clients whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record and who were classified as current smokers was:

  • highest in the 45-54 year age group for females (16.0%).
  • highest in the 25-34 year age group for males (25.1%).
  • lowest in the 65 and over year age group for both females (6.4%) and males (8.4%).

Figure 14: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a record of smoking status as “current smoker”, in their GP record, by age and sex, July 2021

Figure 14: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a record of smoking status as “current smoker”, in their GP record, by age and sex, July 2021

As of July 2021, nationally, the proportion of regular clients whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record and who were classified as ex-smokers was:

  • highest in the 65 and over year age group for both females (24.6%) and males (41.2%).
  • lowest in the 15-24 year age group for both females (4.1%) and males (4.5%).

Figure 15: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a record of smoking status as “ex-smoker”, in their GP record, by age and sex, July 2021

Figure 15: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a record of smoking status as “ex-smoker”, in their GP record, by age and sex, July 2021

As of July 2021, nationally, the proportion of regular clients whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record and who were classified as never having smoked was:

  • highest in the 15-24 year age group for both females (82.2%) and males (76.1%).
  • lowest in the 55–64 and over year age group for females (61.5%).
  • lowest in the 65 and over year age group for males (50.4%).

Figure 16: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a record of smoking status as “never smoked”, in their GP record, by age and sex, July 2021

Figure 16: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a record of smoking status as “never smoked”, in their GP record, by age and sex, July 2021

Nationally between October 2020 and July 2021, the proportion of regular clients with:

  • a smoking status of “current smoker” decreased by 2.2% from 16.9% to 14.7% respectively.
  • a smoking status of “ex-smokers” increased by 0.7% from 21.7% to 22.4% respectively.
  • a smoking status of “never smoked” increased by 1.5% from 61.4% to 62.9% respectively.

Figure 17: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a record of smoking status, in their GP record, October 2020 to July 2021

Figure 17: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a record of smoking status, in their GP record, October 2020 to July 2021