South Australia has recorded its lowest smoking rates on record and continues to strengthen illicit tobacco legislation and enforcement, according to the latest tobacco reduction report.
The report, which tracks progress under the South Australian Tobacco Strategy 2023–2027, shows the state achieved a record-low daily smoking rate of 7.5 per cent in 2025 – down from 10.6 per cent in 2020. South Australia remains on track to meet its target of reducing smoking rates to six per cent by 2027.
The report measures progress against 15 key targets aimed at reducing smoking and vaping-related harm and improving the health and wellbeing of South Australians. Key findings include:
- Daily smoking rates among 15 to 29-year-olds have fallen from 9.7 per cent in 2021 to 5.1 per cent
- Smoking rates among 30 to 59-year-olds have declined from 11.8 per cent in 2021 to 9.9 per cent
- Smoking rates for people living with mental illness have decreased from 16.6 per cent in 2021 to 12.3 per cent
- The average age of smoking initiation has increased from 16 years in 2019 to 17 years
These results reflect strong collaboration between state and federal governments, alongside sustained investment in legislation, enforcement, and community education campaigns.
The Labor Malinauskas Government established both Preventive Health SA as a stand-alone agency and the Preventive Health SA Act 2024, to support collaborative action across agencies and non-government with a focus on preventive health measures including addressing tobacco and vaping.
Preventive Health is not isolated to the health system, addressing key priorities like tobacco and vaping are vital to help reduce pressure on the health system.
While reductions in smoking are encouraging, rising vaping rates among young people remain a concern. South Australia reflects national trends and has taken proactive steps to respond.
Over the past two years, the state has invested in vaping prevention campaigns, expanded cessation support, and strengthened regulation and enforcement through increased penalties, enhanced powers, and additional compliance activity. These measures aim to reduce young people's access to e-cigarettes, disrupt illicit supply chains, and deter organised crime.
The Government is also considering further reforms to significantly disrupt the illicit tobacco and vaping market, which is estimated to account for 55 per cent of Australia's total tobacco and e-cigarette trade.
South Australia has been nationally recognised for its progress in reducing smoking rates and strengthening illicit tobacco enforcement.
Despite these gains, smoking remains one of the leading causes of preventable death and disease in Australia.
As put by Blair Boyer
We are seeing the lowest smoking rates South Australia has ever recorded, and that's a significant public health achievement.
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.
Our focus now is on sustaining that momentum and ensuring the next generation is protected from nicotine addiction.
As put by Preventive Health SA Chief Executive, Marina Bowshall
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.
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.
We know that by taking proactive action, strengthening legislation and increasing enforcement, we can improve the long-term health and wellbeing of our communities and reduce illicit tobacco activities.
As put by Cancer Council SA Senior Manager, Prevention, Christine Morris
Public health gains of this scale are never accidental. This is a direct and positive reflection of many years of sustained tobacco control advocacy, strong public policy and the collective backing of our communities, health services and the State Government.
While this trend is encouraging, smoking remains one of the leading preventable causes of cancer in our state.
We are also increasingly concerned about the prevalence of vaping, particularly among young people. Evidence continues to show that vaping is not harmless and may act as a gateway to nicotine addiction.
However, there is strong reason for optimism as today's news shows what is possible when there is a shared commitment to preventing nicotine addiction in all its forms.
