National findings from the Fiji STEPS Survey confirm that smoking prevalence in Fiji remains significantly higher among men than women, with the highest rates concentrated in younger age groups and declining steadily with age.
Nearly 60 per cent of men aged 18–29 are current smokers, making young adult males the most affected group nationwide.
This figure drops slightly to just over 50 per cent among men aged 30–44, before falling more sharply to around 40 per cent in the 45–59 age group.
Among older men aged 60–69, smoking prevalence declines further to about 30 per cent.
In contrast, women record substantially lower smoking rates across all age categories.
Around 30 per cent of women aged 18–29 are current smokers, with prevalence decreasing to roughly 20 per cent among those aged 30–44.
Smoking rates among women fall to about 13 per cent in the 45–59 age group, and drop to below 5 per cent among women aged 60–69.
The report recommends the need for targeted tobacco control initiatives, particularly those aimed at young men, while sustaining efforts to reduce smoking across the wider population.
