Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have a much higher smoking rate than the rest of the population, with wide variations in smoking rates between different ATSI communities. Many smoking related diseases affect the ATSI community and contribute to significantly reduced life expectancy and increased disability, with a 17-year life expectancy gap between mainstream and indigenous communities.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more than twice as likely as non-Indigenous Australians to smoke cigarettes on a daily basis 1 |
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In 2004-05, half the adult Indigenous population (50%) were current daily smokers. In South Australia, 52.9% of the adult Indigenous population were current daily smokers, with the figure in urban areas much higher at 53.7%. For both men and women, the highest levels are for those aged 25-44 years. By comparison, in 2004 17% of the non-indigenous population were smokers. 1, 2, 5 |
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people die of heart, stroke and vascular diseases (that affect the heart and blood vessels) at nearly three times the rate of the non-Indigenous population.3 |
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In Australia, the average age of starting to smoke is 16 years old. For people of Aboriginal and Torres Islander descent, the average age of starting to smoke is 15 years old. Tobacco use is seen as a normal behaviour and is reinforced by family and within the community. 4 Programs for Indigenous communities need to take account of the social and cultural pressures keeping indigenous smoking rates high. |
The Government has recognised that Indigenous Australian tobacco smoking prevalence rate is a national problem. In May 2008, the Rudd government announced $14.5 million funding to tackle high rates of smoking in Indigenous communities over four years, with the focus around research, community-based interventions and importantly the provision of smoking cessation training for staff working in Indigenous health.
1. Pink B, Allbon P. The Health and Welfare of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples 2008. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; 2008. Report No.: ABS Catalogue No. 4704.0 AIHW Catalogue No. AIHW 21
2. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2006, 2004-05 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey: Summary of Results, Australia (4715.0).
3. CEITA Just the Facts: A fact sheet about tobacco use among Indigenous Australians
4. Baker A, et al. Where there's smoke, there's fire: high prevalence of smoking among some sub-populations and recommendations for intervention. Drug Alcohol Rev 2006;25:85?96
5. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2006, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey: South Australia, 2004-05.
Information 
The Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Tobacco Control