Drugs can cause harm to individuals, families and communities. These drugs include alcohol, tobacco, electronic cigarettes and vapes (‘e‑cigarettes’), illicit drugs, and pharmaceuticals used for non-medical purposes. The harm caused by drugs can be health‑related, such as tobacco causing lung cancer or car accidents involving alcohol and drug use. However, people can also experience social and economic harms, including contact with the criminal justice system.
This report provides insights into the use of alcohol, tobacco, e‑cigarettes, and illicit drugs in Australia in 2022 and 2023, using results from the 2022–2023 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) . Although the daily smoking rate is the lowest it has ever been, more people are using e‑cigarettes and risky consumption of alcohol has remained steady.