SMOKING among adults remains more prevalent in Wangaratta than many other parts of Victoria, according to latest research from Cancer Council Victoria.
A new report from the council's Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer (CBRC) shows a concerning prevalence of smoking and vaping across Victorian communities.
According to the report, the estimated number of Wangaratta adults who currently smoke tobacco is 3774, which is 16.1 per cent of the adult population.
Overall, Victoria has an estimated 746,126 adults who currently smoke tobacco, which is 14.6 per cent of the adult population.
The estimated number of Wangaratta adults who spoke tobacco daily is 3124, which is 13.3 per cent of the adult population, and the estimated number of Wangaratta adults who currently vape is 1155, which is just 4.9 per cent of the adult population.
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Quit director Rachael Andersen said the need for public health efforts and campaigns which address both smoking and vaping has never been more critical, considering the gateway effect between the two behaviours.
“A recent study of Australian teens showed people who vape but have never smoked are at least five times as likely to take up smoking," she said.
"So, while much of the media narrative of the past years has focused on vaping, if we stop educating the community on the harms of smoking and if we reduce support for quit smoking attempts, we risk seeing the areas with high vaping rate areas becoming high smoking rate areas in the future.
"If we don’t address the stubbornly high smoking rates in regional areas, we risk seeing health inequities continue to widen."
According to the report, despite continuing declines in current smoking prevalence among Victorian adults, numerous LGAs such as Wangaratta had current smoking prevalence rates well above the state average in 2022.
"This reinforces that, while it is important to address vaping as an emerging and growing issue, comprehensive efforts must continue to focus on reducing harm from smoking tobacco," Ms Andersen said.
For support to stop smoking or vaping, connect with Quitline on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger @QuitVic, live chat through quit.org.au or request a call back at a time that suits you.
From Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, qualified Quitline counsellors are ready to support you on your quitting journey.
Estimated number and percentage of Victorian adults who smoke tobacco daily by LGA.
Victoria, 557169, 10.9 per cent
Wangaratta, 3124, 13.3 per cent
Alpine, 1336, 12.4 per cent
Indigo, 1636, 12.0 per cent
Strathbogie, 1263, 13.3 per cent
Wodonga, 4949, 15.0 per cent
Benalla, 1667, 13.9 per cent
Estimated number and percentage of Victorian adults who currently smoke tobacco by LGA.
Victoria, 746126, 14.6 per cent
Wangaratta, 3774, 16.1 per cent
Alpine, 1590, 14.8 per cent
Indigo, 1962, 14.4 per cent
Strathbogie, 1425, 15.0 per cent
Wodonga, 5874, 17.8 per cent
Benalla, 1915, 16.0 per cent
Estimated number and percentage of Victorian adults who currently vape by LGA.
Victoria, 311524, 6.1 per cent
Wangaratta, 1155, 4.9 per cent
Alpine, 455, 4.2 per cent
Indigo, 579, 4.2 per cent
Strathbogie, 366, 3.9 per cent
Wodonga, 2170, 6.6 per cent
Benalla, 561, 4.7 per cent
