Strong media interest in daily smoking rates data

20 July 2026

Association members have been quoted extensively in media coverage of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025, which shows daily tobacco smoking fell to 5.6% in 2025 from 8.3% in 2022-23.

Coverage includes:

• Prof Caroline Miller, The Courier Mail, Smoking plummets to record low as illicit tobacco use more than doubles
• Prof Michelle Jongenelis and Prof Becky Freeman, The Conversation, Despite claims smoking has made a comeback, just 5.6% of Australians now smoke daily
• Assoc Prof Raglan Maddox on 3AW's Drive show
• Laura Hunter on Perth's 3PRPerth Today show
• Laura Hunter on Radio National Breakfast, Australians smoking less, but data shows 'changing illicit market', ACOSH says
• Michael Moore, Canberra City News, Stub the spin, we’re smoking less and here’s why