First Nations people and smoking, vaping and tobacco

Smoking rates

Tobacco use is more widespread among First Nations people although smoking rates vary between regions and communities.

Since 2010, we have funded programs to reduce smoking among First Nations communities. Since then, tobacco use has substantially reduced. Ongoing targeted programs, together with other measures outlined in the National Tobacco Strategy 2023–2030, are expected to contribute to further declines in smoking and improved health outcomes among First Nations communities.

The proportion of First Nations people, aged 15 years or more, who smoke daily has reduced to 29% in 2022–23, down from 37% in 2018-19.

Among First Nations people tobacco smoking is:

• the most preventable cause of ill health and early death
• responsible for around 1 in 5 deaths
• directly responsible for ⅓ of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Vaping rates

The use of e-cigarettes is rising across Australia, including amongst First Nations youth.

First Nations people who had tried vaping were more likely to be:

• male
• younger (under 45 years of age)
• living in urban and regional areas.

In 2022-2023, 20% of First Nations people aged 15 to 17 years had ever used an e-cigarette/vaping device.

In 2022-23, almost 1 in 4 (24.1%) First Nations people aged 15 years and over had ever used e-cigarettes, with 8% currently using e-cigarettes.

The Government has taken action to reduce vaping rates and protect young people from the harms of vaping. This includes new laws related to the supply of vapes, and support for people to quit vaping or not start in the first place. Further information is available at About vaping and e-cigarettes.

Quit Support

Choosing to live a smoke and vape free life benefits you, your family and your community. Quitting smoking and vaping is one of the best choices you can make for your health, and the health of those around you.

Find out more about how to quit smoking and vaping. There’s a lot of support available to help you quit:

• Ask your health worker, doctor, nurse, midwife or pharmacist for advice
• Call the Quitline on 13 7848
• Download the My QuitBuddy app
• Visit quit.org.au.

The longer you stay smoke-free, the easier it gets.

Through the Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) program, we support regional organisations to help First Nations people:

• understand the impacts of smoking and vaping

• quit smoking and vaping

  to not start smoking or vaping.

For more information about the TIS program visit the TIS website.

Campaigns

Give Up For Good

The latest National Tobacco and E-cigarette campaign, Give Up For Good, has an updated collection of First Nations resources, including case studies, posters and factsheets to help First Nations people quit both smoking and vaping.

Resources are also available to help young First Nations people quit vaping, alongside support for parents and carers within their communities.

Don’t Make Smokes Your Story 

The Don’t Make Smokes Your Story campaign ran from 2016 to 2018. It delivered personally relevant information about the health impacts of smoking and importantly, highlighted the health benefits of quitting for the individual and the community.

Resources