Australia has reached a new milestone in tobacco control, with the country’s daily smoking rate falling to its lowest level on record. At the same time, the nation’s nicotine market is undergoing a significant transformation as the use of traditional cigarettes declines and policymakers increasingly focus on regulating e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and other alternative nicotine products.
According to the latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), the daily smoking rate among Australians aged 18 and over fell to 5.8% in 2025, marking the lowest level recorded since the survey began.
Australian Minister for Health Mark Butler said the number of Australians who smoke daily has fallen by approximately 500,000 people compared with three years ago.
“As fewer and fewer Australians smoke every day, we are creating a healthier Australia,” Butler said.
Long-Term Decline in Smoking Continues
The AIHW’s National Drug Strategy Household Survey tracks long-term trends in the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs across Australia.
The latest findings indicate that:
- Daily smoking among adults aged 18 years and older declined to 5.8% in 2025.
- Among Australians aged 14 years and older, the daily smoking rate fell from 8.3% in 2022–23 to 5.6% in 2025.
Australia had previously set a national objective of reducing smoking prevalence to 10% by 2025, a target that has now been substantially exceeded.
The government attributes the continued decline to decades of comprehensive tobacco control measures, including public health campaigns, higher tobacco taxes, plain packaging regulations, smoking restrictions, and broader changes in consumer attitudes toward smoking.
Government Highlights E-Cigarette Reforms
Alongside declining cigarette use, Australia’s nicotine consumption patterns continue to evolve.
Health Minister Mark Butler argued that recent reforms targeting e-cigarettes have contributed to these changing trends.
“These results demonstrate that our world-leading e-cigarette reforms are having an effect. However, we know there is still much more work to do to protect Australians from the harms of smoking and e-cigarettes.”
While the government links the latest trends to its broader regulatory strategy, it is important to note that the AIHW survey primarily measures patterns of nicotine use. The survey itself does not establish a direct causal relationship between any individual policy and the observed decline in smoking rates.
As with many public health outcomes, changes in smoking behavior are likely influenced by a combination of regulatory measures, public awareness, economic factors, and shifting consumer preferences.
E-Cigarette Use Appears to Stabilize
After several years of growth, the prevalence of e-cigarette use appears to be leveling off.
According to the AIHW:
- Daily e-cigarette use among Australians aged 14 years and older stood at 3.6% in 2025.
- Overall e-cigarette use declined from 7% in 2022–23 to 6% in 2025.
Australian authorities believe these figures suggest that recent regulatory changes may be influencing consumer behavior.
At the same time, the government continues to emphasize preventing youth access to nicotine products and strengthening enforcement against the illegal sale of e-cigarettes.
Nicotine Consumption Is Becoming More Diverse
Although cigarette smoking continues to decline, nicotine consumption in Australia is becoming increasingly diversified.
The survey indicates that a growing number of consumers now use three or more different nicotine products, reflecting a broader shift away from reliance on conventional cigarettes alone.
Today’s nicotine market increasingly includes:
- Traditional cigarettes
- E-cigarettes
- Nicotine pouches
- Other alternative nicotine products
This evolution presents new challenges for policymakers, as regulation must now address a broader range of products rather than focusing solely on combustible tobacco.
Australia Further Restricts Access to Nicotine Pouches
In addition to tightening regulation of e-cigarettes, Australia has introduced stricter controls on nicotine pouches.
Beginning 24 July 2026, consumers can no longer access nicotine pouches through unapproved therapeutic product pathways.
Under the updated rules:
- Nicotine pouches cannot be imported through personal importation schemes, even with a prescription.
- Access is no longer available through the Special Access Scheme (SAS).
- The Authorised Prescriber Scheme can no longer be used for these products.
- The Personal Importation Scheme has also been closed to nicotine pouch imports.
The Australian government says these changes are intended to reduce youth access to nicotine products while limiting opportunities for illegal distribution.
Health Minister Butler stated that the reforms are designed to protect young people and prevent illegal operators from profiting from nicotine addiction.
Authorities also confirmed they will continue enforcement efforts targeting the unlawful sale and distribution of nicotine pouches.
Tobacco Control Enters a New Phase
Australia’s latest survey highlights two parallel trends: traditional cigarette smoking continues to decline, while the nicotine market itself is becoming increasingly complex.
As new nicotine products gain popularity, regulatory priorities are shifting beyond smoking prevalence alone to encompass broader issues, including:
- Product access and distribution
- Youth protection
- Illegal market enforcement
- Regulation of emerging nicotine products
This reflects a broader transition in public health policy, where governments are increasingly managing the entire nicotine ecosystem rather than focusing exclusively on combustible tobacco.
Final Thoughts
Australia’s record-low daily smoking rate of 5.8% represents another significant milestone in the country’s long-running tobacco control efforts. However, the growing popularity of alternative nicotine products has introduced new regulatory challenges that extend beyond traditional cigarettes.
As policymakers continue to tighten oversight of e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and other emerging products, Australia’s experience illustrates the changing nature of nicotine regulation worldwide. Going forward, one of the central policy questions will be how to balance public health objectives, consumer demand, harm reduction strategies, and effective market regulation within an increasingly diverse nicotine landscape.