Aust youth smoking rates at ‘record low’

Australian adolescent smoking rates are at a record low, but experts say constant vigilance is needed to combat new tobacco marketing strategies.

They attribute the drop to rising cigarette prices, smoke-free environment and advertising policies, plain packaging, and restrictions on adolescents’ access to tobacco. A perspective paper, published in the journal Public Health Research & Practice, said 3.4 per cent of Australians aged 12-17 smoked daily.