AIHW survey shows significant cut in smoking rates

AMA President, A/Prof Brian Owler, said this week that the latest National Drugs Strategy Household Survey from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows a very welcome and significant decrease in smoking rates in Australia.
 
Daily smoking among people aged 14 and older has declined from 15.1 per cent in 2010 to 12.8 per cent in 2013. A/Prof Owler said the fact that daily smoking rates have almost halved since 1991 is a victory for strong public health advocacy and education, and courageous tobacco control legislation.
 
“Today’s figures also challenge the tobacco companies’ assertions that tobacco sales have increased since plain packaging was introduced. The AIHW survey demonstrates beyond question that sales have markedly declined since the introduction of the world-leading plain packaging laws.
 
Full media release.