How much do Australians smoke? Daily habits in 2026
Daily smoking in Australia has fallen sharply over three decades — from roughly a quarter of adults in the early 1990s to around one in ten today — driven by price, advertising bans, plain packaging and quitting support. For those still smoking, the habit is more expensive than at any point in history.
| Check | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Habit | Approximate annual cost at 2026 prices |
| 5 cigarettes a day | About $4,100 a year |
| 10 a day | About $8,200 a year |
| 20 a day | About $16,400 a year |
| One pouch a week (50 g) | About $8,000 a year |
The trend and the residue
The decline is one of the clearest public health successes in the country, but the remaining group is concentrated among people under financial stress — which makes the cost of the habit a bigger factor in their lives than the averages suggest.
Help is free and effective
Quitline on 13 7848, quit.org.au, and your GP or pharmacist for nicotine replacement and prescription options. Combining support with medication roughly doubles the chance of quitting successfully compared with willpower alone.
Before you order — four checks that never change
- Price against the excise floor. Duty is $1.55274 a stick from 1 September 2026 — about $31 in a 20-pack and $310 in a carton. Smoking is at a record low nationally — and at a record cost for those still smoking.
- The pack in the photo. Legal Australian stock is drab brown (Pantone 448C) with graphic warnings covering at least 75% of the front and 90% of the back — no logos, no brand artwork.
- Age and delivery. Distance sellers must verify you are 18 or over, and somebody who can sign and show ID has to be at the address. Lockers and unstaffed addresses can be refused.
- State rules. South Australia prohibits mail and online tobacco orders outright; everywhere else requires an age-verification system.
Related reading
- what smoking costs over a year
- what 12 months without smoking frees up
- what a 20-pack really costs in 2026
This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. All tobacco products are harmful and state rules change — check your state or territory regulator before ordering. For help quitting call Quitline on 13 7848.