Research shows that more than 1,400 South Australians will die from tobacco related illness in 2023

This World No Tobacco Day, Cancer Council SA is urging South Australians to quit smoking with data from the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) showing that more than 1,400 South Australians will die from tobacco related illness in 2023.

Smoking is the single largest cause of preventable death and disease in our community and can cause 16 different types of cancer.

Cancer Council SA Prevention and Advocacy Manager, Christine Morris says that two in three Australian smokers’ risk premature death due to the long-term impacts of smoking.

“We know that as soon as you make the decision to quit, there are almost immediate positive health impacts, such as a reduction in blood pressure and an improved sense of taste and smell,” she said.

“With the cost of tobacco set to increase from 1 July and the ongoing cost of living pressures on South Australians, World No Tobacco Day is a great reminder to stop smoking.”

“We know that 88 per cent of South Australians who smoke have tried to quit, and 6 in 10 people who smoke intend to quit in the next six months.”

“Services like Quitline provide tailored support to all South Australians looking to quit and we encourage all smokers to get in touch for smoking cessation information and support that suits them.”

While we have seen a downward trend in overall smoking rates, with 8.2 per cent of South Australian adults smoking daily, smoking rates are significantly higher among vulnerable and at-risk communities.

Ms Morris says that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smoking rates are very concerning, as are those of other vulnerable groups.

“We know that 40 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and up to 22 per cent of people living with a mental illness smoke daily,” she said.

“Cancer Council SA’s Tackling Tobacco Program works with Community Service Organisations whose clients are First Nations people, and people living with disability or mental illness, to support their clients to quit smoking.”

Learn more about smoking and cancer here.