QIM 2: Proportion of regular clients with a current smoking status recorded in their GP record

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Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable diseases and death in Australia. Smoking was responsible for 9.3% of the total burden of disease in Australia in 2015, making it the leading risk factor contributing to disease burden. Almost three-quarters (73%) of the burden from smoking was due to premature death (AIHW 2019a). Successful public health strategies over many decades have resulted in a significant decline in daily smoking proportions. Despite these positive changes, the harm from tobacco smoking continues to affect current smokers and ex-smokers, as well as non-smokers through their exposure to second-hand smoke (AIHW 2019a).

Capture of results recorded outside of the general practices

Where a smoking status was recorded elsewhere and the information is not recorded in the clinical information system of the client’s usual general practice then these data may not be captured in the report. For example, this might be a result from a smoking rehabilitation centre or community health centre where the information systems may not be compatible with the clinical information system of the client’s usual general practice.

Other sources of relevant data

Data on prevalence of health risk factors such as smoking status are captured in the National Health Survey (NHS) conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) conducted by the AIHW and the survey on smoking conducted by the Cancer Council Victoria.

This indicator contains 2 parts:

  • QIM 2a: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status has been recorded in their GP record:

    • in the last 12 months for those aged 15–29; and

    • at least once since turning 30 for those aged 30 and over.

  • QIM 2b: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status has been recorded in their GP record (in the last 12 months for those aged 15–29 and at least once since turning 30 for those aged 30 and over) as one of the following: current smoker, ex-smoker or never smoked.

Proportion of regular clients with a smoking status recorded (QIM 2a)

QIM2a: Regional Proportions

As of July 2022, nationally, 64.2% of regular clients aged 15 years and over had their smoking status recorded in their GP record (where recorded means in the previous 12 months for those aged 15–29 and since the age of 30 for those aged 30 years and over). This varied from 58.7% to 73.7% across PHNs.

Figure 8: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a smoking status recorded in their GP record, by PHN, July 2022

This bar chart shows the proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a smoking status recorded in their GP record, by PHN for July 2022.

QIM 2a: National proportions over time

Nationally, between July 2021 and July 2022, the proportion of regular clients with a smoking status recorded in their GP record decreased by 2.4%, from 66.6% to 64.2%.

Figure 9: National proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a smoking status recorded in their GP record, July 2021 to July 2022

This line chart shows the proportion of regular clients with a smoking status recorded in their GP record, from July 2021 to July 2022.

QIM 2a: National proportions by age and sex

Separate graphs are provided for the 15–34 years and the 35 years and over age groups. It is difficult to compare the results captured in figures 10a and 10b because the counting rules for whether smoking status is recorded changes from the age of 30 years. The age group most affected by this change, 25–34 years, cannot be separated due to the way the specifications were developed. The AIHW is working with stakeholders to review the counting rules behind these specifications and to align the data capture.

As of July 2022, nationally, the proportion of regular clients aged 15 to 34 years whose most recent smoking status was recorded in their GP record was:

  • 16.8% and 14.9% respectively for females and males aged 15 to 24 years
  • 29.4% and 29.9% respectively for females and males aged 25 to 34 years.

Figure 10a: Proportion of regular clients aged 15-34 years with a smoking status recorded in their GP record, by age and sex, July 2022

This bar chart shows the proportion of regular clients aged 15 to 34 years with a smoking status recorded in their GP record, by age and sex for July 2022.

As of July 2022, nationally, the proportion of regular clients aged 35 years and over (whose most recent smoking status was recorded in their GP record since turning 30 years) increased with age and was:

  • highest in the 55–64 year age group for both females (83.6%) and males (83.7%)
  • lowest in the 35–44 year age group for both females (77.2%) and males (76.0%).

Figure 10b: Proportion of regular clients aged 35 years and over with a smoking status recorded in their GP record since turning 30 years, by age and sex, July 2022

This bar chart shows the proportion of regular clients aged 35 years and over with a smoking status recorded in their GP record, by age and sex for July 2022.

Proportions of regular clients with a smoking status result (QIM 2b)

QIM 2b: Regional proportions

Current smokers

As of July 2022, nationally, 14.2% of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record were classified as current smokers. This varied from 7.1% to 23.7% across PHNs.

Figure 11: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record who were classified as a "current smoker", by PHN, July 2022

This bar chart shows the proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a smoking status recorded as “current smoker” in their GP record, by PHN for July 2022.

Ex smokers

As of July 2022, nationally, 22.4% of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record were classified as ex-smokers. This varied from 13.5% to 31.6% across PHNs.

Figure 12: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record who were classified as an "ex-smoker", by PHN, July 2022

This bar chart shows the proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a smoking status recorded as “ex smoker” in their GP record, by PHN for July 2022.

Never smoked

As of July 2022, nationally, 63.4% of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record were classified as never having smoked. This varied from 50.4% to 75.8% across PHNs.

Figure 13: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record who were classified as "never smoked", by PHN, July 2022

This bar chart shows the proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a smoking status recorded as “never smoked” in their GP record, by PHN for July 2022.

QIM 2b: National proportions over time

Nationally, between July 2021 and July 2022, the proportion of regular clients remained constant:

  • at 14.7% and 14.2% respectively for “current smokers”
  • at 22.5% and 22.4% respectively for “ex-smokers”
  • at 62.8% and 63.4% respectively for “never smoked”.

Figure 14: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a record of smoking status in their GP record, July 2021 to July 2022

This line chart shows the proportion of regular clients with a smoking status recorded (“Current”, “Ex”, “Never”) in their GP record, from July 2021 to July 2022.

QIM 2b: National proportions by age and sex

Current smokers

As of July 2022, nationally, the proportion of regular clients whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record and who were classified as current smokers was:

  • highest in the 45–54 year age group for females (15.3%)
  • highest in the 25–34 year age group for males (23.4%)
  • lowest in the 65 years and over age group for both females (6.5%) and males (8.5%).

Figure 15: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a record of smoking status as "current smoker" in their GP record, by age and sex, July 2022

This bar chart shows the proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over, with a smoking status recorded as “current smoker” in their GP record, by age and sex for July 2022.

Ex-smokers

As of July 2022, nationally, the proportion of regular clients whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record and who were classified as ex-smokers was:

  • highest in the 65 years and over age group for both females (24.3%) and males (40.2%)
  • lowest in the 15–24 year age group for both females (4.4%) and males (4.6%).

Figure 16: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a record of smoking status as "ex-smoker' in their GP record, by age and sex, July 2022

This bar chart shows the proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a smoking status recorded as “ex smoker” in their GP record, by age and sex for July 2022.

Never smoked

As of July 2022, nationally, the proportion of regular clients whose smoking status was recorded in their GP record and who were classified as never having smoked was:

  • highest in the 15–24 year age group for both females (82.8%) and males (77.3%)
  • lowest in the 55–64 years and over age group for females (62.0%)
  • lowest in the 65 years and over age group for males (51.3%).

Figure 17: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a record of smoking status as "never smoked" in their GP record, by age and sex, July 2022

This bar chart shows the proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with a smoking status recorded as “never smoked” in their GP record, by age and sex for July 2022.

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