Alcohol, smoking, vaping, and other drug use are linked to a range of health, social, and economic harms. Generally, areas classified as Rural, Remote, or Very Remote report higher rates of substance use and related harms across most categories. Compared to urban areas, rural communities experience a broader range of health impacts associated with substance use, often due to limited access to services. This fact sheet explores data on the rates of use and the impacts of alcohol, smoking, vaping, and other drug use in rural Australia.
