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A groundbreaking study from The Australian National University (ANU) has revealed that smoking kills more than 24,000 Australians each year—equating to over 66 deaths per day—significantly higher than previously estimated.
Published in BMC Medicine, the research followed 178,000 people over time, providing the most detailed insights yet into the link between smoking and mortality in Australia. The findings confirm that smoking significantly increases the risk of dying from 23 common causes.
Shocking Risks for Smokers
Lead author Associate Professor Grace Joshy highlighted the alarming risks associated with smoking. The study found that current smokers are:
- 36 times more likely to die from chronic lung disease,
- 18 times more likely to die from lung cancer,
- 60% more likely to die from dementia than non-smokers.
Beyond cancer risks, smokers also face twice the risk of death from stroke and heart disease. According to Associate Professor Joshy, “Smoking causes around a quarter of deaths among Australians aged 45-74.”
Preventable Deaths and Urgent Action Needed
Senior author Professor Emily Banks emphasized the devastating impact of smoking on individuals, families, and communities. “For 1.8 million Australians, lighting up a cigarette is a daily habit. But this habit is costing 66 lives every day—deaths that are entirely preventable. The number should be zero.”
Professor Banks also pointed out the dangers of so-called “light smoking,” warning that even smoking a few cigarettes a day is extremely harmful. “Smoking one to 14 cigarettes per day increases the risk of dying from chronic lung disease more than twenty-fold and the risk of dying from lung cancer more than ten-fold. If you smoke, now is the best time to quit.”
A Call for Stronger Tobacco Control Measures
The study examined data from Australians aged 45 and older, with participants tracked from 2005 to 2017. Despite Australia’s leadership in tobacco control, Associate Professor Joshy cautioned that more action is needed. “It’s hard to imagine society accepting 24,000 preventable deaths a year from anything else. We need to take stronger steps to support quitting and prevent young people from taking up smoking.”
Key recommendations from the study include:
- Expanding public awareness campaigns with hard-hitting messaging,
- Enhancing health warnings on cigarette packaging and individual cigarettes,
- Strengthening smoking cessation programs for at-risk populations, including Indigenous Australians.
Quit Director Rachael Andersen echoed these sentiments, urging Australians to take immediate steps toward quitting. “This study reinforces the devastating harm of smoking. There are many support options available—visit quit.org.au, call the Quitline at 13 7848, or download the My Quit Buddy app. Keep trying, because quitting as soon as possible improves health outcomes.”
Conclusion
The ANU study provides compelling evidence that smoking remains a major public health crisis in Australia. With thousands of preventable deaths each year, experts call for urgent action to curb smoking rates and support those trying to quit.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Readers are encouraged to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice on smoking cessation.
