A1.16 Public perceptions of tobacco as a drug, and public opinion regarding tobacco control policies

A1.16.1 Public perceptions of tobacco as a drug

Tobacco contributes to more drug-related deaths in Australia than any other drug – see Section 3.30 for more information on the total burden of death and disease attributable to tobacco. However, the proportion of Australians who perceive tobacco as the drug that causes the most burden is decreasing. ¹ Figure A1.16.1 compares the beliefs of Australians aged 14 years and over on which drug causes the most deaths in Australia. As depicted in Figure A1.16.2, the percentage of Australians aged 14 years and over, who believe that tobacco causes the most deaths compared to any other drug decreased from 18.7% in 2019 to 17.4% in 2022–2023. ¹

As demonstrated in Figure A1.16.3 below, the percentage of Australians 14 years and over who believe that tobacco is of most concern for the community has remained relatively stable at just below 8% between 2019 and 2022–2023. ¹

A1.16.2 Public opinion on tobacco control polices

In 2022–2023, most Australians showed support for measures aiming to reduce tobacco-related harm. As shown in Figure A1.16.4, the measure ‘banning the advertising of tobacco products on social media’ received the most support, with 81% of Australians 14 years and over indicating that they support the measure. The measures ‘banning all additives (e.g. flavouring) in cigarettes and other tobacco products, to make them less attractive to young people’ and ‘implementing a licensing scheme for tobacco retailers’ received support from 78% and 68% of Australians 14 years and over respectively. ²

The proportion of Australians aged 14 years and over that support tobacco taxation measures has remained over 60% between 2004 and 2022–2023. Of the three tax related measures, ‘increasing the tax on tobacco products to contribute to treatment costs’ has consistently received the most support. ²

Support for measures that aim to reduce the harms of e-cigarette use was relatively consistent across measures in 2022–2023 and all have increased over time. Of the four measures, ‘prohibiting the sale of electronic cigarettes/vapes, including those without nicotine, to people under 18 years of age’ received the most support, with approximately 86% of Australians aged 14 years and over supporting the measure. ³

Table A1.16.1 and Table A1.16.2 present the state and territory breakdown of support levels for measures to reduce the harms associated with tobacco and e-cigarettes respectively, in 2022–2023.  

References

1.  Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Data tables: National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023 – 11. Perceptions and policy support.  Canberra: AIHW, 2024. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/data.

2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Data tables: National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023 – 2. Tobacco smoking.  Canberra: AIHW, 2024. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/data.

3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Data tables: National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023 – 3. Electronic cigarettes and vapes.  Canberra: AIHW, 2024. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/data.