Health Risks of Smoking Cigarettes - What Every Australian Adult Should Know

Current Smoking Prevalence in Australia

Latest Daily Smoking Rate

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), the daily smoking rate among people aged 14 and over fell to 8.3% in 2022–2023, its lowest level on record. That represents nearly two-thirds fewer smokers compared to 1991 levels.

Progress Toward National Targets

Australia's National Tobacco Strategy 2023–2030 sets ambitious targets: achieving less than 10% adult daily smoking prevalence by 2025, and 5% or less by 2030

The AIHW also reports that smoking-related disease burden dropped significantly, but tobacco remains the second-leading risk factor, contributing 7.6% of total burden of disease in 2024

Health Impact – Smoking-Related Deaths

A recent AIHW-backed analysis estimated tobacco smoking causes around 24,000 deaths per year in Australia (~66 deaths per day) - making it the leading preventable cause of death.

The same research shows smoking increases the risk of lung disease by 36-fold, cancer by 18-fold, and dementia by 60% - even among light smokers

Demographic & Regional Disparities

• Smoking rates are significantly higher in remote areas - about 16.7% in remote/regional zones vs. 9.4% in major cities in 2022–23

• Among First Nations Australians, 20% smoked daily in 2022–23, over twice the rate of non-Indigenous Australians.

• Lower socioeconomic groups also show higher prevalence (~13–14%) while the most advantaged areas are around 4.1% daily smokers.

How Smoking Damages the Body

Smoking affects virtually every organ system. Even light smoking or occasional exposure to tobacco smoke can lead to serious long-term damage. Below is what the latest national evidence shows for Australians in 2024–25.

Respiratory Diseases: COPD, Emphysema & Lung Cancer

Tobacco smoking is the primary cause of chronic respiratory diseases such as COPD and emphysema. According to the Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024, tobacco contributes to over 70% of the total disease burden for COPD and lung cancer combined

In 2024, lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer death in Australia, with an estimated 8,918 deaths and a lifetime risk of 1 in 35 (2.8%) of dying from lung cancer by age 85. . Around 85–90% of lung cancer cases occur in people who smoke or have smoked

Cardiovascular Damage & Heart Disease

Nicotine and carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke quickly impair cardiovascular function. Just one cigarette can raise heart rate by up to 30% within minutes, while long-term use contributes to atherosclerosis, increased clotting, and reduced oxygen delivery.

AIHW reports that in Australia in 2024, smoking-related cardiovascular disease - including heart attack and stroke, remains a leading contributor to preventable death. Current smokers have nearly three times higher cardiovascular mortality risk compared to never-smokers, and quitting by age 45 avoids almost all excess risk.

Cancer Risk Beyond the Lungs

Smoking raises the risk for many other cancers—not just lung cancer. It contributes to over 50% of the disease burden from cancers such as bladder, oesophageal, pancreatic, throat, and kidney cancer.

Immune Suppression and Infection Vulnerability

Tobacco smoke weakens the immune system by causing oxidative stress and depleting antioxidants like vitamin C. This leaves smokers more susceptible to respiratory infections and longer recovery times .

Risk Even If You’re a Light Smoker

Even individuals who smoke fewer than five cigarettes per day significantly increase their risk of heart disease, cancer, and lung disease. There is no safe level of smoking, even occasional use causes measurable harm.

Smoking, Life Expectancy & Mental Health

How Smoking Reduces Life Expectancy

The latest AIHW estimates (2024) show that long-term smokers in Australia lose an average of 10–14 years of life compared to non-smokers (aihw.gov.au).
Quitting early dramatically changes this outlook:

• Stopping before age 45 can reverse almost all excess mortality risk.

• Even quitting at 60 provides up to 3 extra years of life expectancy.

The reason is clear: smoking is linked to 1 in every 8 deaths in Australia - roughly 24,000 deaths annually.

Impact on Quality of Life

Beyond shortening life, smoking erodes day-to-day wellbeing. Smokers are more likely to experience:

• Persistent fatigue and shortness of breath

• Reduced exercise capacity

• Poor wound healing

• Frequent respiratory infections
  These effects contribute to a lower Health-Adjusted Life Expectancy (HALE) - meaning more years lived with illness or disability

Mental Health Connections

Research in Australia over the past decade has highlighted a strong two-way relationship between smoking and mental health disorders.

• People living with depression or anxiety have double the smoking rate of the general population (tobaccoinaustralia.org.au).

• Nicotine temporarily stimulates dopamine release, but long-term dependence worsens anxiety and mood stability.

• Smokers with mental health conditions often find it harder to quit without tailored support.

A 2024 review by the University of New South Wales found that quitting smoking improves mood and anxiety symptoms within just a few weeks, challenging the myth that smoking is an effective stress relief.

Social & Economic Dimensions

Smoking affects more than just health:

• Financial cost: In Australia, a pack-a-day habit can cost over AUD $12,000 per year at 2025 prices.

• Social impact: Many public spaces and workplaces have strict smoke-free policies, creating barriers and stigma for smokers.

• Generational impact: Children exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to become smokers themselves.

Economic and Societal Costs of Smoking in Australia 

The Direct Healthcare Burden

Tobacco use remains one of the largest preventable drivers of healthcare spending in Australia.
According to the AIHW Tobacco Impact Report 2024, smoking-related illnesses account for:

• Over AUD $5.5 billion annually in direct healthcare costs, including hospital admissions, cancer treatments, and chronic disease management.

• More than 1.6 million hospital bed days each year attributed to tobacco-related diseases.

Productivity Losses & Workplace Impact

The cost of smoking extends beyond hospitals:

• Lost productivity from illness, absenteeism, and premature death is estimated at AUD $14 billion annually.

• Smokers take an average of 2.6 more sick days per year than non-smokers 

• Smoking breaks during work hours can also significantly reduce active work time.

Tax Revenue vs. Health Costs

Australia has one of the highest tobacco excise rates in the world, with an average pack costing around AUD $45 in 2025.
While this generates over AUD $15 billion in tax revenue annually, it still does not fully offset the combined healthcare and productivity losses, which exceed AUD $20 billion per year

Societal & Generational Harm

Smoking is not only an individual health issue, it is a public health challenge.

• Second-hand smoke exposure remains a risk for children and non-smoking adults, causing an estimated 150 deaths annually in Australia.

• Communities with higher smoking rates often face compounding disadvantages such as poorer access to healthcare, lower education outcomes, and higher poverty rates.

• The intergenerational cycle of smoking means children who grow up in smoking households are twice as likely to become smokers themselves

Environmental Costs of Cigarettes

The environmental footprint of smoking is often overlooked:

• Cigarette butts are the most littered item in Australia, with billions discarded every year.

• Toxic chemicals from butts leach into waterways, harming marine life.

• Tobacco farming and manufacturing contribute to deforestation and carbon emissions

Quitting Smoking: Strategies That Work in 2025

Understanding the Addiction Cycle

Nicotine addiction is both physical and psychological, which explains why quitting is often challenging.

• Physically, nicotine stimulates dopamine release, creating temporary pleasure and reduced stress.

• Psychologically, habits such as smoking after meals, during breaks, or when socialising become deeply ingrained triggers.

In 2025, public health research in Australia continues to show that multi-pronged quitting approaches are the most effective.

Proven Methods to Quit in Australia

Based on updated Cancer Council Australia and Quitline guidelines (2025), the most successful quit strategies include:

1. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) – patches, gum, lozenges, mouth spray.

   • Reduces withdrawal symptoms.

   • Can double the likelihood of quitting successfully when used correctly.

2. Prescription Medications – varenicline or bupropion.

   • Require GP consultation and may be subsidised under the PBS.

   • Work by reducing cravings and the rewarding effects of nicotine.

3. Behavioural Support & Counselling

   • Phone support via Quitline (13 7848), online programs, and group sessions.

   • Combining counselling with NRT can triple quit rates.

4. Digital & App-Based Programs

   • 2025 sees a rise in AI-powered quit-smoking apps offering personalised plans, craving tracking, and motivational coaching.

Reducing Relapse Risk

Quitting is a process, not a single event. Relapse rates are highest in the first 3 months after quitting, mainly due to:

• Stressful events

• Social triggers (parties, friends who smoke)

• Alcohol use

To avoid relapse:

• Identify high-risk situations and plan alternatives.

• Use coping techniques such as deep breathing, chewing sugar-free gum, or exercising.

• Keep track of progress with a quit journal or mobile app.

The Role of Family, Friends & Community

Strong social support can double the success rate of quitting attempts. In 2025, many local councils and workplaces in Australia run smoke-free initiatives that include:

• Peer support groups

• Financial incentives for remaining smoke-free

• Access to free NRT products

Economic & Health Gains from Quitting

The benefits of quitting are immediate and long-term:

• 20 minutes after quitting: Heart rate and blood pressure drop.

• 2–12 weeks: Lung function improves.

• 1 year: Risk of coronary heart disease halves.

• 5 years: Stroke risk drops to that of a non-smoker.

• 10 years: Lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker (quit.org.au).

Financially, quitting a pack-a-day habit in Australia in 2025 saves over AUD $12,000 per year - enough for an overseas holiday or a significant boost to savings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the main health risks of smoking in Australia?

A: Smoking increases the risk of over 50 serious diseases, including lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In Australia, tobacco use causes around 24,000 deaths every year, making it the country’s leading preventable cause of death.

Q: How many years can smoking take off your life?

A: On average, long-term smokers in Australia lose 10–14 years of life expectancy compared to non-smokers. Quitting early can significantly reverse this risk, especially if done before age 45.

Q: How much does smoking cost Australians per year?

A: A pack-a-day habit in 2025 costs around AUD $12,000 annually due to Australia’s high tobacco excise. Nationally, smoking-related healthcare and productivity losses exceed AUD $20 billion per year.

Q: What are the most effective ways to quit smoking in 2025?

A: The most effective methods include combining Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) with counselling or digital quit programs. Prescription medications such as varenicline or bupropion, when used under medical supervision, can also improve success rates.

Q: Does quitting smoking improve mental health?

A: Yes. Recent research from the University of New South Wales (2024) shows that quitting smoking can reduce anxiety, depression, and stress levels within weeks - contradicting the myth that smoking helps manage stress.

Q: How soon after quitting do health benefits begin?

A: Positive changes start almost immediately:

• 20 minutes: Heart rate and blood pressure drop.

• 2 weeks to 3 months: Lung function improves.

• 1 year: Risk of coronary heart disease halves.

• 10 years: Lung cancer death rate drops to about half that of a smoker.