Youth Smoking Statistics

Youth smoking prevalence in Western Australia (WA) has dropped to an all time low, to less than 5 per cent. Results released by the WA Health Minister Kim Hames on 16 September 2009 from the 2008 Australian School Students Alcohol and Drug Survey (ASSAD) show:

The proportion of regular smokers has decreased. In 2008, 4.8 per cent of 12 to 17-year-olds had smoked in the past week, down from 6.1 per cent in 2005, and 17.5 per cent in 1984.
The proportion of students who have never smoked has increased. In 2008, almost 75 per cent of 12 to 17-year-olds had never smoked compared with 69 per cent in 2005, and almost 32 per cent in 1984.

The next ASSAD Survey will be conducted with students in 2011 and results are expected to be available in 2012.

Results in regard to WA youth smoking behaviour from recent Smarter than Smoking campaign evaluation released in Janaury 2011 support that non-smoking has become more widespread among 12 - 16 years olds in WA, with 84% claiming to have never smoked in their life - a significant increase from 2007 (73%) and from the 1996 benchmark survey (40%).

It is important that young people are aware that most people in Western Australia don't smoke regularly. In fact, just over 95% of 12-17 year old school students are not current smokers and approximately 85% of WA adults don't smoke.

Despite this, young people overestiamte how many people smoke and so perceive it as normal behaviour. Over 80% of 12-17 year olds think that about 35% of their peers smoke regualrly compared with the actual figure, which is less than 5% (4.8%).

Click here for a summary of Western Australian results from the Australian Schools Students Alcohol and Drug Survey 2008 in relation to cigarette smoking.
Click here for Australian youth smoking prevalence statistics