Australia has long been a global leader in tobacco control efforts, implementing measures such as plain packaging laws, graphic health warnings, and tobacco advertising bans. These initiatives, coupled with increased taxation on tobacco products, have contributed to a steady decline in smoking rates over the past few decades.

Smoking Rates

According to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), the prevalence of daily smoking among adults aged 18 and over dropped from 24.3% in 1991 to 11.0% in 2019. This downward trend reflects the success of comprehensive tobacco control strategies in reducing the burden of smoking-related diseases and improving public health outcomes.

Despite this success and these measures put in place the ABS reported in 2022 that smoking rates were relatively stagnant from the 2019 reported figure with 1 in 10 Australians continue to smoke despite the known health risks associated with smoking. Furthermore, data shows that +70% of smokers have tried to quit or change behaviour before and failed. Leaving us with the question, what more can we do to help these adult smokers quit and improve public health? 

Vaping Rates

Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, is often referred to as the "father of the e-cigarette." He developed the first commercially successful electronic cigarette in 2003. Hon Lik's motivation for inventing the e-cigarette stemmed from his personal experience with smoking and his desire to find a safer alternative.

Recently, the vaping rates in Australia have exploded with approximately 1.7 million Australian Adults who now vape, with almost 400,000 of those starting in the last year alone - a 30% year on year rise, with overall prevalence increasing by 535% since 2018. Alarmingly, the large majority of this product is purchased via the illegal black market with no control on how products are manufactured or what ingredients are included.

Regulatory Challenges 

The growing popularity of vaping poses unique challenges for policymakers and public health authorities. While proponents argue that vaping can serve as a harm reduction tool for smokers who are unable or unwilling to quit using traditional methods, critics raise concerns about the long-term health effects of e-cigarette use, particularly among youth and non-smokers.

Regulatory frameworks governing vaping in Australia aim to strike a balance between promoting smoking cessation and protecting public health. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) classifies nicotine as a prescription medication, requiring individuals to obtain a prescription from a medical practitioner to legally access nicotine-containing e-cigarettes or liquid nicotine for personal use.

Australia faces a pivotal juncture in nicotine regulation and public health policy. By navigating these evolving trends with evidence-based approaches and stakeholder collaboration, Australia can continue progressing towards a healthier, smoke-free future.