newsGP - Smoking rate falls to historic low as nicotine pouch laws tighten
Australia's daily smoking rate has hit a historic low, prompting the government to tighten laws on nicotine pouches to protect young people.Summary
New data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) indicates that daily smoking rates have fallen to a historic low, with 5.6% of people aged 14 and over reporting daily smoking in 2025, down from 8.3% in 2022–23. This progress places Australia well ahead of its National Tobacco Strategy target of reaching 10% by 2025. However, the study highlights a shift towards emerging nicotine products, particularly oral nicotine pouches and prohibited traditional snus, which are becoming popular among younger demographics. In response, the Federal Government announced new restrictions on nicotine pouches, effective from 24 July 2026, which will ban their access through unapproved therapeutic goods pathways and prohibit personal importation, even with a prescription. Health Minister Mark Butler emphasized that these reforms aim to protect young people and combat the illicit market. The AIHW survey also noted that while daily e-cigarette use has increased over the past decade, it has stabilized at 3.6% in 2025 following significant regulatory reforms in 2024. Despite these successes, the persistence of illicit tobacco remains a concern, with one in three current smokers having used illicit tobacco recently. Cancer Council Australia CEO Jacinta Reddan praised the effectiveness of Australia's tobacco control measures, including plain packaging and taxation, while acknowledging the dual challenge of maintaining these policies and cracking down on the illicit market.
(Source：Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP))
