Person—tobacco smoking status, code N

Identifying and definitional attributes

Metadata item type:Help on this termData Element
Short name:Help on this termTobacco smoking status
METEOR identifier:Help on this term270311
Registration status:Help on this term
Definition:Help on this termA person's current and past smoking behaviour, as represented by a code.
Context:Help on this termPublic health and health care
Data Element Concept:Person—tobacco smoking status

Value domain attributes

Representational attributes

Representation class:Help on this termCode
Data type:Help on this termNumber
Format:Help on this termN
Maximum character length:Help on this term1
Permissible values:Help on this term
ValueMeaning
1Daily smoker
2Weekly smoker
3Irregular smoker
4Ex-smoker
5Never smoked

Collection and usage attributes

Guide for use:Help on this term

CODE 1     Daily smoker

A person who smokes daily

CODE 2     Weekly smoker

A person who smokes at least weekly but not daily

CODE 3     Irregular smoker

A person who smokes less than weekly

CODE 4     Ex-smoker

A person who does not smoke at all now, but has smoked at least 100 cigarettes or a similar amount of other tobacco products in his/her lifetime.

CODE 5     Never-smoker

A person who does not smoke now and has smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes or similar amount of other tobacco products in his/her lifetime.

Source and reference attributes

Reference documents:Help on this termStandard Questions on the Use of Tobacco Among Adults (1998)

Data element attributes

Collection and usage attributes

Collection methods:Help on this term

The recommended standard for collecting this information is the Standard Questions on the Use of Tobacco Among Adults - interviewer administered (Questions 1 and 4) and self-administered (Questions 1 and 1a) versions. The questionnaires are designed to cover persons aged 18 years and over.

Comments:Help on this term

There are two other ways of categorising this information:

  • Regular and irregular smokers where a regular smoker includes someone who is a daily smoker or a weekly smoker. 'Regular' smoker is the preferred category to be reported in prevalence estimates.
  • Daily and occasional smokers where an occasional smoker includes someone who is a weekly or irregular smoker. The category of 'occasional' smoker can be used when the aim of the study is to draw contrast between daily smokers and other smokers.
    Where this information is collected by survey and the sample permits, population estimates should be presented by sex and 5-year age groups. Summary statistics may need to be adjusted for age and other relevant variables.

Smoker type is used to define subpopulations of adults (age 18+ years) based on their smoking behaviour.

Smoking has long been known as a health risk factor. Population studies indicate a relationship between smoking and increased mortality/morbidity.

This data element can be used to estimate smoking prevalence. Other uses are:

  • To evaluate health promotion and disease prevention programs (assessment of interventions)
  • To monitor health risk factors and progress towards National Health Goals and Targets

It is recommended that in surveys of smoking, data on age, sex and other socio-demographic variables should be collected. It is also recommended that when smoking is investigated in relation to health, data on other risk factors including pregnancy status, physical activity, overweight and obesity, and alcohol consumption should be collected.

Relational attributes

Related metadata references:Help on this term
Supersedes PDFTobacco smoking status, version 1, DE, NHDD, NHIMG, Superseded 01/03/2005.pdf (18.5 KB) No registration status
See also Person—tobacco smoking status, code NN
Implementation in Data Set Specifications:Help on this term
All attributes +

Acute coronary syndrome (clinical) DSSHealth, Superseded 07/12/2005

DSS specific attributes +

Acute coronary syndrome (clinical) DSSHealth, Superseded 01/10/2008

DSS specific attributes +

Acute coronary syndrome (clinical) DSSHealth, Superseded 01/09/2012

DSS specific attributes +

Acute coronary syndrome (clinical) DSSHealth, Superseded 02/05/2013

DSS specific attributes +

Acute coronary syndrome (clinical) NBPDS Health, Recorded 15/05/2017

DSS specific attributes +

Acute coronary syndrome (clinical) NBPDS 2013-Health, Standard 02/05/2013

DSS specific attributes +

Cardiovascular disease (clinical) DSSHealth, Superseded 15/02/2006

Cardiovascular disease (clinical) DSSHealth, Superseded 04/07/2007

Cardiovascular disease (clinical) DSSHealth, Superseded 22/12/2009

Cardiovascular disease (clinical) DSSHealth, Superseded 01/09/2012

Cardiovascular disease (clinical) NBPDSHealth, Superseded 17/10/2018

Cardiovascular disease (clinical) NBPDS Health, Standard 17/10/2018

Indigenous primary health care DSS 2015-17Health, Superseded 25/01/2018
Indigenous, Superseded 27/02/2018

DSS specific attributes +

Indigenous primary health care NBEDS 2017–18Health, Superseded 06/09/2018
Indigenous, Superseded 22/10/2018

DSS specific attributes +

Indigenous primary health care NBEDS 2018–19Health, Superseded 12/12/2018
Indigenous, Superseded 02/04/2019

DSS specific attributes +

Indigenous primary health care NBEDS 2019–20Health, Superseded 16/01/2020
Indigenous, Superseded 14/07/2021

DSS specific attributes +

Indigenous primary health care NBEDS 2020–21Health, Retired 13/10/2021

DSS specific attributes +

Indigenous-specific primary health care NBEDS December 2020Indigenous, Standard 14/07/2021

DSS specific attributes +

Lung cancer (clinical) DSSHealth, Superseded 14/05/2015

Lung cancer (clinical) NBPDSHealth, Standard 14/05/2015

Implementation in Indicators:Help on this term
Used as Numerator

Indigenous primary health care: PI10a-Number of regular clients with a smoking status result, 2013Health, Superseded 21/11/2013
Indigenous, Superseded 21/11/2013

Indigenous primary health care: PI10a-Number of regular clients with a smoking status result, 2014Health, Superseded 13/03/2015
Indigenous, Superseded 13/03/2015

Indigenous primary health care: PI10a-Number of regular clients with a smoking status result, 2015Health, Superseded 05/10/2016
Indigenous, Superseded 20/01/2017

Indigenous primary health care: PI10a-Number of regular clients with a smoking status result, 2015-2017Health, Superseded 25/01/2018
Indigenous, Superseded 27/02/2018

Indigenous primary health care: PI10a-Number of regular clients with a smoking status result, 2015-2017Health, Superseded 17/10/2018
Indigenous, Superseded 17/10/2018

Indigenous primary health care: PI10a-Number of regular clients with a smoking status result, 2018-2019Health, Superseded 16/01/2020
Indigenous, Superseded 14/07/2021

Indigenous primary health care: PI10a-Number of regular clients with a smoking status result, June 2020Health, Retired 13/10/2021
Indigenous, Superseded 14/07/2021

Indigenous primary health care: PI10b-Proportion of regular clients with a smoking status result, 2013Health, Superseded 21/11/2013
Indigenous, Superseded 21/11/2013

Indigenous primary health care: PI10b-Proportion of regular clients with a smoking status result, 2014Health, Superseded 13/03/2015
Indigenous, Superseded 13/03/2015

Indigenous primary health care: PI10b-Proportion of regular clients with a smoking status result, 2015Health, Superseded 05/10/2016
Indigenous, Superseded 20/01/2017

Indigenous primary health care: PI10b-Proportion of regular clients with a smoking status result, 2015-2017Health, Superseded 17/10/2018
Indigenous, Superseded 17/10/2018

Indigenous primary health care: PI10b-Proportion of regular clients with a smoking status result, 2015-2017Health, Superseded 25/01/2018
Indigenous, Superseded 27/02/2018

Indigenous primary health care: PI10b-Proportion of regular clients with a smoking status result, 2018-2019Health, Superseded 16/01/2020
Indigenous, Superseded 14/07/2021

Indigenous primary health care: PI10b-Proportion of regular clients with a smoking status result, June 2020Health, Retired 13/10/2021
Indigenous, Superseded 14/07/2021

Indigenous primary health care: PI11a-Number of regular clients who gave birth within the previous 12 months with a smoking status of 'current smoker', 'ex-smoker' or 'never smoked', 2014Health, Superseded 13/03/2015
Indigenous, Superseded 13/03/2015

Indigenous primary health care: PI11a-Number of regular clients who gave birth within the previous 12 months with a smoking status of 'current smoker', 'ex-smoker' or 'never smoked', 2015Health, Superseded 05/10/2016
Indigenous, Superseded 20/01/2017

Indigenous primary health care: PI11a-Number of regular clients who gave birth within the previous 12 months with a smoking status of 'current smoker', 'ex-smoker' or 'never smoked', 2015-2017Health, Superseded 17/10/2018
Indigenous, Superseded 17/10/2018

Indigenous primary health care: PI11a-Number of regular clients who gave birth within the previous 12 months with a smoking status of 'current smoker', 'ex-smoker' or 'never smoked', 2015-2017Health, Superseded 25/01/2018
Indigenous, Superseded 27/02/2018

Indigenous primary health care: PI11a-Number of regular clients who gave birth within the previous 12 months with a smoking status of 'current smoker', 'ex-smoker' or 'never smoked', 2018-2019Health, Superseded 16/01/2020
Indigenous, Superseded 14/07/2021

Indigenous primary health care: PI11a-Number of regular clients who gave birth within the previous 12 months with a smoking status of 'current smoker', 'ex-smoker' or 'never smoked', June 2020Health, Retired 13/10/2021
Indigenous, Superseded 14/07/2021

Indigenous primary health care: PI11b-Proportion of regular clients who gave birth within the previous 12 months with a smoking status of 'current smoker', 'ex-smoker' or 'never smoked', 2014Health, Superseded 13/03/2015
Indigenous, Superseded 13/03/2015

Indigenous primary health care: PI11b-Proportion of regular clients who gave birth within the previous 12 months with a smoking status of 'current smoker', 'ex-smoker' or 'never smoked', 2015Health, Superseded 05/10/2016
Indigenous, Superseded 20/01/2017

Indigenous primary health care: PI11b-Proportion of regular clients who gave birth within the previous 12 months with a smoking status of 'current smoker', 'ex-smoker' or 'never smoked', 2015-2017Health, Superseded 25/01/2018
Indigenous, Superseded 27/02/2018

Indigenous primary health care: PI11b-Proportion of regular clients who gave birth within the previous 12 months with a smoking status of 'current smoker', 'ex-smoker' or 'never smoked', 2015-2017Health, Superseded 17/10/2018
Indigenous, Superseded 17/10/2018

Indigenous primary health care: PI11b-Proportion of regular clients who gave birth within the previous 12 months with a smoking status of 'current smoker', 'ex-smoker' or 'never smoked', 2018-2019Health, Superseded 16/01/2020
Indigenous, Superseded 14/07/2021

Indigenous primary health care: PI11b-Proportion of regular clients who gave birth within the previous 12 months with a smoking status of 'current smoker', 'ex-smoker' or 'never smoked', June 2020Health, Retired 13/10/2021
Indigenous, Superseded 14/07/2021

Indigenous primary health care: PI20a-Number of regular clients who have had the necessary risk factors assessed to enable cardiovascular disease (CVD) assessment, 2018-2019Health, Superseded 16/01/2020
Indigenous, Superseded 14/07/2021

Indigenous primary health care: PI20a-Number of regular clients who have had the necessary risk factors assessed to enable cardiovascular disease (CVD) assessment, June 2020Health, Retired 13/10/2021
Indigenous, Superseded 14/07/2021

Indigenous primary health care: PI20a-Number of regular clients who have had the necessary risk factors assessed to enable CVD assessment, 2015-2017Health, Superseded 17/10/2018
Indigenous, Superseded 17/10/2018

Indigenous primary health care: PI20b-Proportion of regular clients who have had the necessary risk factors assessed to enable cardiovascular disease (CVD) assessment, 2018-2019Health, Superseded 16/01/2020
Indigenous, Superseded 14/07/2021

Indigenous primary health care: PI20b-Proportion of regular clients who have had the necessary risk factors assessed to enable cardiovascular disease (CVD) assessment, June 2020Health, Retired 13/10/2021
Indigenous, Superseded 14/07/2021

Indigenous primary health care: PI20b-Proportion of regular clients who have had the necessary risk factors assessed to enable CVD assessment, 2015-2017Health, Superseded 17/10/2018
Indigenous, Superseded 17/10/2018

Indigenous-specific primary health care: PI10a-Number of Indigenous regular clients who have a smoking status result within specified categories, December 2020Indigenous, Standard 14/07/2021

Indigenous-specific primary health care: PI10b-Proportion of Indigenous regular clients who have a smoking status result within specified categories, December 2020Indigenous, Standard 14/07/2021

Indigenous-specific primary health care: PI11a-Number of Indigenous regular clients who gave birth within the previous 12 months who have a smoking status result within specified categories, December 2020Indigenous, Standard 14/07/2021

Indigenous-specific primary health care: PI11b-Proportion of Indigenous regular clients who gave birth within the previous 12 months who have a smoking status result within specified categories, December 2020Indigenous, Standard 14/07/2021

Indigenous-specific primary health care: PI20a-Number of Indigenous regular clients who have the necessary risk factors recorded to assess absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, December 2020Indigenous, Standard 14/07/2021

Indigenous-specific primary health care: PI20b-Proportion of Indigenous regular clients who have the necessary risk factors recorded to assess absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, December 2020Indigenous, Standard 14/07/2021

National Health Performance Authority, Healthy Communities, Percentage of adults who are daily smokers, 2011–12 National Health Performance Authority (retired), Retired 01/07/2016

National Indigenous Reform Agreement: P04-Rates of current daily smokers, 2010Community Services (retired), Superseded 04/04/2011

National Indigenous Reform Agreement: P04-Rates of current daily smokers, 2010Community Services (retired), Superseded 04/04/2011

National Indigenous Reform Agreement: PI 03-Rates of current daily smokers, 2013Indigenous, Superseded 13/12/2013

National Indigenous Reform Agreement: PI 03-Rates of current daily smokers, 2013Indigenous, Superseded 13/12/2013

National Indigenous Reform Agreement: PI 03-Rates of current daily smokers, 2014Indigenous, Superseded 24/11/2014

National Indigenous Reform Agreement: PI 03-Rates of current daily smokers, 2014Indigenous, Superseded 24/11/2014

National Indigenous Reform Agreement: PI 03-Rates of current daily smokers, 2014Indigenous, Superseded 24/11/2014

National Indigenous Reform Agreement: PI 03-Rates of current daily smokers, 2014Indigenous, Superseded 24/11/2014

National Indigenous Reform Agreement: PI 04-Rates of current daily smokers, 2011Indigenous, Superseded 01/07/2012

National Indigenous Reform Agreement: PI 04-Rates of current daily smokers, 2011Indigenous, Superseded 01/07/2012

National Indigenous Reform Agreement: PI 04-Rates of current daily smokers, 2012Indigenous, Superseded 13/06/2013

National Indigenous Reform Agreement: PI 04-Rates of current daily smokers, 2012Indigenous, Superseded 13/06/2013