Smoking and tobacco
Tobacco is a drug, usually breathed in as smoke from cigarettes. Nicotine, the main chemical in tobacco, is highly addictive. Smoking causes preventable illnesses and death. Find help to quit smoking or support someone close to you.
Top tasks
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Learn about smoking and tobacco
Find out about smoking and tobacco — what they are, how they can affect you and how to reduce your risk when smoking. -
What are the effects?
Discover how smoking and tobacco can affect your health and the health of those around you. Understand the impact on your finances. -
Tobacco control
Learn about the laws that control the sale and advertising of tobacco products. Find out about plain packaging and the health warnings that must be used. -
How to quit smoking
Quitting can be tough, but getting the right support will help make quitting easier.
Did you know?
13.8% of adults
were daily smokers in 2017–18
10% decrease since 1995
12.3 cigarettes
are smoked by daily smokers per day (on average)
75.3% of young people
aged 18 to 24 have never smoked
5.8% increase from 2014–15
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics – National Health Survey: First Results, 2017–18
Final report on Tackling Indigenous Smoking program shows local campaigns are proving successful
A new report shows the power of local campaigns in reducing tobacco use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Browse smoking and tobacco for
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Pregnant women
Not smoking is the safest option when you're pregnant or breastfeeding. -
Children
What are the risks of smoking around your children and what you can do as a parent or carer. -
Young people
What are the risks to your health and how to say 'no' to smokes. Learn what you can do as a parent or teacher. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Find out what resources are available to reduce smoking in these communities.
