10 years of preventive health in Australia. Part 4 – extending gains in tobacco control

Ten years ago, Australia's tobacco plain packaging laws significantly shifted the tobacco control landscape. The smoking rate for people aged ≥18 years has continued to decline from 16.4% in 2013 to 11.1% in 2022-23. In 2023, the tobacco control policy inertia that had occurred since the introduction of plain packaging was finally addressed with the passage of a comprehensive package of reforms. These measures focus on tighter regulation of tobacco products. However, in recent years the tobacco