Prevalence

Smoking prevalence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has historically been high due to the lasting effects of colonisation and targeted tobacco industry marketing [42338]. However, initiatives such as the Tackling Indigenous Smoking program are helping to reduce smoking prevalence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Information from recent surveys indicates that:

• there is a strong downward trend in smoking prevalence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people [39231]
• the proportion of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (18-24 years) who smoke has decreased, which will lead to improved health outcomes over time
• a similar proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women smoke
• the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in rural and remote areas who smoke is higher than for those living in urban areas
• the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary school students who smoke has continued to decrease and the proportion of those who have never smoked has increased significantly [40944].

For a summary of statistical information updated yearly on tobacco use and vaping among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, see also our latest Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status.