Australian Adults Witness Historic Drop in Cigarette Smoking, But Vaping Concerns Rise
In a significant public health development, the number of Australian adults who smoke traditional cigarettes has fallen below the 10 percent mark for the first time on record. Data from a recent report indicates that while 10.8 percent of Australians were regular smokers in the previous year, this figure has now dipped to a historic low of 9.8 percent in the current year.
This decline represents a continuation of a long-standing trend observed over the past six decades. As scientific understanding has deepened, revealing the strong links between cigarette smoking and serious health issues such as cancer and premature death, Australians have increasingly moved away from this habit.
The number of
American adults who smoke cigarettes
has dropped below 10 percent – the lowest level ever recorded.
While 10.8 percent of Americans smoked in 2023, only 9.8 percent smoked in 2024, according to a new
report
from the
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
.
The findings reflect a continual
shift away from cigarettes
over the last 60 years, as more research was made public regarding
ties to cancer
and
premature death
.
However, the picture is not entirely positive. Despite the success in reducing cigarette consumption, a substantial 18.8 percent of Australians still reported using at least one form of tobacco product in the same year. This indicates that while traditional cigarettes are losing favour, other tobacco products are experiencing a surge in popularity, effectively offsetting the progress made in curbing cigarette smoking.
Health organisations have voiced concerns about this shift, stressing the urgent need for comprehensive federal strategies to address tobacco prevention and reduction. They are calling for a renewed focus on these efforts, particularly at the national level, and for regulatory bodies to maintain rigorous oversight of all tobacco products currently available on the market.
Further analysis of the data reveals a geographical disparity in smoking habits. Australians residing in rural areas are more likely to be smokers compared to their urban counterparts. This finding is particularly noteworthy given that urban populations often face greater exposure to harmful air pollution.
Decades of Progress and Lingering Dangers
The decline in cigarette use is not a sudden phenomenon; it has been a gradual but steady decrease since the 1960s. This era marked a turning point, with the then-Surgeon General of the United States first publicly detailing the established links between smoking and the development of cancer. Concurrently, the advertising of cigarettes on television and radio was banned, a significant move that reduced the pervasive influence of tobacco marketing.
E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, don’t have all of the contaminants in tobacco smoke, but they are still unsafe.
The battery-powered devices have been found to contain addictive nicotine,
heavy metals
, volatile organic compounds and cancer-causing chemicals, the
American Heart Association
warns.
“The liquid used in e-cigarettes can be dangerous, even apart from its intended use. Children and adults have been poisoned by swallowing, breathing or absorbing the liquid through their skin or eyes,” the association wrote.
Since these initial revelations, extensive research has continued to solidify the understanding of smoking’s devastating impact. It is now unequivocally linked to a wide range of lung and heart diseases, and it has been scientifically established that smoking harms virtually every organ in the human body. Tragically, despite the falling rates, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of Australians still succumb to smoking-related illnesses each year.
The consequences are stark: smoking is responsible for a significant percentage of all cancers and cancer-related deaths. For individuals who smoke, their life expectancy is considerably shorter – often by a decade – compared to those who have never smoked.
The Rise of Vaping: A New Frontier of Concern
While the reduction in traditional cigarette smoking is a positive step, the increasing popularity of e-cigarettes, commonly known as vapes, presents a new and complex challenge. Although often perceived as a less harmful alternative due to the absence of tobacco combustion, these devices are far from benign.
Vapes are battery-powered and contain addictive nicotine. Furthermore, scientific analysis has detected the presence of harmful substances within them, including heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and chemicals known to cause cancer. Health authorities are issuing stern warnings about the potential dangers associated with these products.
The liquid used in e-cigarettes poses its own set of risks. Beyond its intended use, accidental ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption of this liquid has led to poisoning incidents among both children and adults.
Younger adults make up the lion’s share of America’s e-cigarette smokers, according to 2025
data
from the non-profit United Health Foundation.
“13 percent report regular use, compared with 1.1 percent of those age 65 and older — 11.8 times higher,” the foundation said.
E-cigarette use has been increasing in adults in recent years, according to the
CDC
.
E-cigarettes were also the most commonly used tobacco products among middle and high school students in 2024, the CDC said, with
1.63 million young students
using the products that year.
70 percent
of U.S. middle and high school students reported exposure to e-cigarette marketing in 2021, according to the agency.
A Hazy Future for Youth
A particularly concerning aspect of the vaping trend is its prevalence among younger demographics. Data indicates that a significant proportion of young adults are regular e-cigarette users, with usage rates drastically higher compared to older age groups.
The increase in e-cigarette use among adults has been a growing concern in recent years. More alarmingly, these products have become the most commonly used tobacco products among middle and high school students. This trend is particularly worrying as it suggests a new generation is becoming addicted to nicotine through vaping, a habit many would not have otherwise taken up.
The marketing of e-cigarettes also appears to be reaching young people effectively, with a substantial percentage of students reporting exposure to such advertising. Experts express significant concern that vaping is not only attracting individuals who would have otherwise never smoked but is also acting as a gateway to traditional tobacco products for many young people who become hooked on nicotine. This phenomenon could undermine decades of progress in tobacco control and create a new public health crisis.
