Queensland Tops Nation for Smoking and Vaping
21 Oct 2025
Data from the Wesfarmers Health Index, based on over 575,000 anonymised health checks, shows that in 2025, 13.3% of Queensland adults smoke daily, slightly ahead of Tasmania at 13.1%. The state also leads the country with 8.2% of adults vaping daily.
RACGP Queensland Chair Dr Cathryn Hester said GPs have effective strategies and medications to support quitting. “Many people attempt to quit smoking or vaping without counselling or medication, but for anyone other than light users, it can be very challenging,” she said. “Talking with your GP can significantly improve your chances of success.”
The report also highlights the growing concern of illicit tobacco use, with the tobacco industry estimating that 64% of tobacco and 82% of nicotine consumed in Australia last year came from illicit sources, valued at around $10 billion.
Smoking continues to be a leading risk factor for disease, contributing to an estimated 24,000 deaths annually in Australia. While daily smoking rates have fallen from 24% in 1991 to 8.3% in 2022–23, current trends suggest the target of reducing adult smoking to 5% by 2030 may not be achieved.
On a positive note, youth vaping has shown signs of decline following regulatory crackdowns, with rates among 14–17-year-olds dropping from 17.5% in February 2023 to 14.6% in April 2025, according to the Cancer Council’s Generation Vape project.
Dr Hester emphasised the need for continued action: “For many years, Australia led the world in tobacco control, but troubling trends are emerging. We must continue supporting Queenslanders and Australians more broadly to quit smoking and vaping and improve their health.”
Source: newsGP
