Australia’s Daily Smoking Rate Hits Record Low in 2025 as Government Tightens Nicotine Product Regulation
According to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) National Drug Strategy Household Survey, the daily smoking rate among Australian adults aged 18 and older fell to 5.8% in 2025, marking a historic low. Australian Health Minister Mark Butler stated that the number of daily smokers has decreased by approximately 500,000 over the past three years, noting that the government’s regulatory reforms on vapes are showing results.
During the same period, the daily smoking rate among Australians aged 14 and older dropped from 8.3% in 2022–23 to 5.6%. Meanwhile, vape usage rates stabilized after years of growth, with daily vaping remaining at 3.6%.
As nicotine consumption patterns continue to evolve, the Australian government is also expanding its regulatory focus to nicotine pouches, restricting access through channels previously available for unapproved therapeutic products.
Key Points
- The daily smoking rate among Australian adults aged 18 and older fell to a historic low of 5.8% in 2025.
- Government data shows that approximately 500,000 fewer Australians are smoking daily compared with three years ago.
- The daily smoking rate among people aged 14 and older declined from 8.3% in 2022–23 to 5.6%.
- Daily vape usage stabilized at 3.6%, while the overall proportion of vape users declined to 6%.
- Health Minister Mark Butler said Australia’s vaping reforms are having an impact.
- The government plans to further restrict nicotine pouch access and strengthen enforcement against illegal sales.
Australia’s Daily Smoking Rate Falls to Historic Low
July 21, 2026 — Australia’s daily smoking rate reached its lowest level on record in 2025. While traditional cigarette consumption continues to decline, the regulation of vapes and other emerging nicotine products has become a growing focus for policymakers.
According to the latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) National Drug Strategy Household Survey, the daily smoking rate among Australians aged 18 and older dropped to 5.8% in 2025, the lowest figure recorded since the survey began.
Australian Health Minister Mark Butler said the country now has approximately 500,000 fewer daily smokers than three years ago.
“With fewer Australians smoking daily, we are creating a healthier Australia,” Butler said.
Long-Term Tobacco Control Policies Continue to Reduce Smoking Rates
The AIHW National Drug Strategy Household Survey monitors long-term trends in tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use among Australians.
The latest findings show that smoking rates have continued their downward trend:
- The daily smoking rate among adults aged 18 and older declined to 5.8% in 2025.
- Among Australians aged 14 and older, the daily smoking rate dropped from 8.3% in 2022–23 to 5.6% in 2025.
The latest figure is below the Australian government’s previous national target of reducing the smoking rate to 10% by 2025.
The government said the decline reflects the combined impact of decades of tobacco control measures, public health campaigns, regulatory policies, and changing consumer behavior.
Government Says Vape Reforms Are Influencing Nicotine Consumption Trends
Alongside falling cigarette use, Australia’s nicotine market is undergoing significant changes.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the latest results demonstrate the impact of the government’s vaping regulations.
“These results show that our world-leading vaping reforms are working, but we know there is still more work to be done to protect Australians from the harms of smoking and vaping,” Butler said.
However, the relationship between vaping policies and declining smoking rates requires careful interpretation.
Although the government attributes the changes to comprehensive nicotine control measures, AIHW survey data mainly reflects consumption patterns and does not independently prove that a specific regulation directly caused the decline in smoking rates.
Vaping Rates Stabilize After Years of Growth
The AIHW survey indicates that vaping prevalence in Australia has stabilized after several years of increases.
In 2025:
- The daily vaping rate among Australians aged 14 and older remained at 3.6%.
- The overall proportion of people who vape declined from 7% in 2022–23 to 6%.
The government believes the changes show that recent vaping regulations are affecting consumer behavior.
At the same time, authorities continue to focus on preventing young people from accessing nicotine products and increasing enforcement against illegal vape sales.
Australian Nicotine Market Shifts Toward Multiple Product Use
The latest survey also highlights changes in how Australians consume nicotine.
Data shows that an increasing number of consumers are using multiple nicotine products at the same time. Some users now combine three or more nicotine products, reflecting a transition from a cigarette-centered market to a broader nicotine ecosystem.
Common nicotine products include:
- Traditional cigarettes;
- Vapes;
- Other nicotine products such as nicotine pouches.
For regulators, this means tobacco control policies are expanding beyond reducing cigarette smoking rates to managing the entire range of nicotine products.
Australia Tightens Regulations on Nicotine Pouches
In addition to strengthening vape regulations, Australia has recently introduced stricter controls on nicotine pouches.
The government announced that from July 24, 2026, consumers will no longer be able to obtain nicotine pouches through pathways designed for unapproved therapeutic goods.
Even with a prescription, nicotine pouches will no longer be available through certain import channels.
The restrictions include removing access through:
- The Special Access Scheme;
- The Authorised Prescriber Scheme;
- The Personal Importation Scheme.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the measures are intended to protect young people and prevent illegal markets from benefiting from nicotine addiction.
The Australian government said it will continue enforcement actions targeting illegal sales of nicotine pouches.
Australia Moves Toward Comprehensive Regulation of Tobacco and Nicotine Products
The latest smoking data shows that traditional cigarette use in Australia continues to decline, while the nicotine market is becoming increasingly diverse.
With products such as vapes and nicotine pouches gaining attention, government policy is shifting from simply reducing smoking rates toward broader management of nicotine products.
Future regulatory priorities are expected to focus on:
- Controlling product access channels;
- Protecting young people from nicotine exposure;
- Combating illegal nicotine markets;
- Establishing rules for emerging nicotine products.
For the nicotine industry, Australia represents a strict regulatory model that aims to reduce cigarette consumption while maintaining tighter control over newer nicotine alternatives.
How products such as vapes and nicotine pouches balance public health objectives, consumer demand, and regulatory requirements will remain a key issue in Australia’s future nicotine policy.
