Smoking and Vaping Rates in Australia (2026 Update)

Last updated: 9 July 2026

Australia has long been a global leader in tobacco control, but the nicotine landscape is changing quickly.

Traditional smoking rates have fallen significantly over the past few decades. At the same time, vaping increased rapidly, especially among younger Australians.

In this article, we break down the latest smoking and vaping statistics in Australia, including the most recent available national data and the major law changes that now apply in 2026.

Smoking Rates in Australia

Smoking in Australia has declined significantly over time, but recent data shows a more complex picture.

Current Smoking Statistics

In 2022–2023, 8.3% of Australians aged 14 and over smoked daily.
This was down from 11.0% in 2019.
Daily smoking has more than halved since 2001, when 19.4% of Australians aged 14 and over smoked daily.
About 1.8 million Australians smoked daily in 2022–2023.
More Australians are choosing never to smoke, with around 65% reporting they had never smoked in 2022–2023.

Long-Term Trend

The long-term trend is clear: smoking has fallen sharply in Australia.

Compared with previous decades, fewer Australians smoke daily, fewer young people are taking up smoking, and more people report never smoking at all.

This is likely due to a combination of factors, including:

Plain packaging laws
Higher tobacco taxes
Public health campaigns
Smoke-free areas
Stronger tobacco advertising restrictions
Greater awareness of smoking-related harm

What This Means

Australia is still seeing historically low smoking rates, but smoking has not disappeared.

Many Australians still smoke daily, and some groups continue to experience higher smoking rates than others.

If you smoke and want to quit, support is available.

Check your eligibility with Kicko

Vaping Rates in Australia

Vaping has become one of the biggest nicotine trends in Australia, especially among young people.

While vaping was once relatively uncommon, use increased quickly between 2018 and 2023.

Current Vaping Statistics

National data shows vaping increased sharply between 2018 and 2023.
Among people aged 14 and over, current vaping rose from low levels in 2018 to much higher levels by 2023.
Recent data suggests vaping may now be stabilising or declining in some age groups following tighter regulation.
Among young adults, vaping remains more common than smoking.

Youth Vaping Trends

Youth vaping remains a major public health concern in Australia.

Generation Vape research found vaping among 14 to 17-year-olds rose rapidly in recent years, before beginning to fall.

Vaping among 14 to 17-year-olds peaked at around 18% in early 2023.
By 2025, this had fallen to around 15%.

This suggests the rapid rise in youth vaping may be slowing, but vaping is still far more common among young people than it was several years ago.

Vaping Laws in Australia in 2026

Australia now has some of the strictest vaping laws in the world.

Since 1 July 2024, vapes and vaping products can only be sold through participating pharmacies for the purpose of smoking cessation or managing nicotine dependence.

This applies to all vapes, including vapes that do not contain nicotine.

What Is Legal?

In 2026, therapeutic vapes are only legally available through pharmacies, where clinically appropriate.

From 1 October 2024, adults aged 18 and over may be able to access therapeutic vapes with a nicotine concentration of 20 mg/mL or less from a participating pharmacy without a prescription, where state and territory laws allow.

A prescription is still required in some cases, including:

For people under 18
For nicotine concentrations above 20 mg/mL
Where required by state or territory law
Where a clinician or pharmacist determines additional clinical support is needed

What Is Illegal?

It is illegal for non-pharmacy retailers to sell vapes.

This includes:

Vape shops
Tobacconists
Convenience stores
Service stations
Online retailers outside the legal pharmacy pathway

Disposable vapes, non-therapeutic vapes and illegally supplied nicotine products remain a major enforcement focus across Australia.

Smoking vs Vaping: The Shift in Nicotine Use

Australia is seeing a shift in how nicotine is used.

Smoking has declined significantly over time.
Vaping increased rapidly, particularly among younger people.
Recent vaping reforms appear to be slowing youth vaping.
Illicit tobacco and illegal vape supply remain major concerns.

This suggests Australia is not just dealing with smoking anymore. It is dealing with a broader nicotine market that includes cigarettes, vapes and illegal nicotine products.

Why These Statistics Matter

Smoking remains one of the leading preventable causes of disease and death in Australia.

Vaping also carries risks, particularly for people who do not already smoke and for young people who may develop nicotine dependence.

For adults who smoke, quitting completely remains one of the most powerful steps they can take for their health.

Support options may include:

Behavioural support
Nicotine replacement therapy
Prescription treatment, where clinically appropriate
Structured quit plans
Follow-up support from a health professional

How Much Does Smoking Cost?

Smoking is not only harmful to your health. It is also expensive.

A pack of cigarettes in Australia can commonly cost around $40 to $50, depending on the brand and where it is purchased.

For someone smoking one pack per day, this can add up to:

$1,200+ per month
$14,000+ per year
$140,000+ over 10 years

If you want to see how much smoking is costing you personally, use the Kicko Quit Smoking Calculator.

Use the Kicko Quit Smoking Calculator

Final Thoughts

Australia’s smoking and vaping landscape is changing quickly.

Smoking is at historic lows, but it remains a major health issue. Vaping has grown rapidly, especially among younger Australians, but recent reforms appear to be changing the trend.

In 2026, the key message is clear: nicotine products are more heavily regulated than ever, and the government is continuing to crack down on illegal tobacco and vape sales.

If you smoke and have been thinking about quitting, now is a good time to take the first step.