South Australia has recorded its lowest daily smoking rate on record, with new State Government figures showing smoking rates fell to 7.5 per cent in 2025.
The result is outlined in the latest tobacco reduction report, which tracks progress under the South Australian Tobacco Strategy 2023–2027. The state is now on track to reach its target of reducing daily smoking rates to six per cent by 2027.
The report measures progress against 15 key targets aimed at reducing smoking and vaping-related harm across South Australia. It shows daily smoking rates have fallen from 10.6 per cent in 2020 to 7.5 per cent in 2025, while rates among younger South Australians have also dropped significantly.
Among 15 to 29-year-olds, daily smoking rates have fallen from 9.7 per cent in 2021 to 5.1 per cent. Smoking rates among 30 to 59-year-olds have also declined, dropping from 11.8 per cent in 2021 to 9.9 per cent. For people living with mental illness, smoking rates have decreased from 16.6 per cent in 2021 to 12.3 per cent.
The average age of smoking initiation has also increased, rising from 16 years in 2019 to 17 years.
Health Minister Blair Boyer said the latest figures marked a significant public health milestone for the state.
“We are seeing the lowest smoking rates South Australia has ever recorded, and that’s a significant public health achievement,” he said.
“But we are not complacent – reducing smoking and tackling vaping, particularly among young people, remains a priority.
“We will continue to strengthen enforcement and disrupt the illicit tobacco trade to protect the health of our community.”
While smoking rates continue to fall, the report notes rising vaping rates among young people remain a concern. Over the past two years, South Australia has invested in vaping prevention campaigns, expanded cessation support and tightened regulation to help reduce young people’s access to e-cigarettes.
Preventive Health SA Chief Executive Marina Bowshall said the latest report showed the importance of sustained prevention work.
“While it’s encouraging to see smoking rates continuing to decline, we know there is still more work to be done to reach all our key targets,” she said.
“This latest report reinforces the importance of sustained prevention, regulation and community education to protect future generations from the harms of smoking, vaping and nicotine addiction.”
Cancer Council SA Senior Manager, Prevention, Christine Morris said the decline reflected years of public health work, while warning smoking remained a major preventable cause of cancer.
“Public health gains of this scale are never accidental,” she said.
“While this trend is encouraging, smoking remains one of the leading preventable causes of cancer in our state.”
The government is also considering further reforms to disrupt the illicit tobacco and vaping market, which it says accounts for an estimated 55 per cent of Australia’s total tobacco and e-cigarette trade.
