The full picture: a decade of smoking in Australia

Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 9-Jul-25

The latest data from Roy Morgan shows that 17.4% of Australians aged 18+ smoke or vape; this includes 12.1% who smoke Factory Made Cigarettes (FMCs) or Roll-Your-Own (RYO) Cigarettes (8.4% FMC & 5.3% RYO) and 7.5% who vape. Overall, this is virtually unchanged over the last decade; in 2014, 17.7% smoked either FMC, RYO, pipe or cigars. However, since 2014, the composition of smoking/vaping has changed with both vaping and illicit tobacco more widespread. In 2018, when Roy Morgan first began asking people about their use of e-cigarettes, the incidence was less than 2%. Over the next few years, the incidence of vaping increased steadily to reach a high of 8.3% in the 12 months to December 2023 (and now at 7.5% in the 12 months to June 2025). Meanwhile, illicit tobacco usage was first measured by Roy Morgan in 2020 when the incidence was less than 2% (given this is self-reporting of an illegal activity, it is likely under-reported). Since then, the use of illicit tobacco has steadily increased to 4.8% of Australians 18+. Smoking illicit tobacco is included in the FMC/RYO incidence and, as such, is contributing to the continued smoking rates of FMC/RYO hovering just over 12%.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED

Smoking increases among young Australians since vaping sales ban in 2024

Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 2-Jul-25

The latest data from Roy Morgan shows that the proportion of Australians aged 18+ smoking Factory Made Cigarettes (FMCs), Roll-Your-Own Cigarettes (RYO) or vaping bottomed at 16.8% (3.59 million) in the year to December 2024. Since then, the incidence of Australians smoking (or vaping) has increased to 17.1% (3.7 million), an increase of 0.3% points (+110,000). Driving the increase has been increased smoking rates of (FMCs), which has increased from 7.9% (1.67 million) to 8.3% (1.79 million), an increase of 0.4% points (+120,000). Meanwhile, legislation banning the sale of disposable single-use and non-therapeutic vapes in mid-2024 has had only a small impact on overall vaping rates, which are now at 7.5% of the population (1.61 million), down by only 0.2% points (-40,000) since the year to September 2024. Despite the legislation, 20.5% (510,000) of 18-24yr olds now vape, up from a low of 19% (470,000) in the year to September 2024; this is an increase of 1.5% points (+40,000) in less than a year.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED