Do younger and older Australians use cannabis differently?
Among Australians who used cannabis in the past 12 months, the most common method of use in all age groups was smoking it as a joint, followed by using a bong or pipe. The exception to this was 14-17 year olds, where a higher proportion smoked cannabis from a bong or pipe than as a joint.
Among Australians aged 14-17 years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 71% smoked it as a joint, 67% smoked it in a bong or pipe, 36% mixed it with tobacco, 20%* ate it (e.g., hash cookies), and 1%** used it by other methods.
Among Australians aged 18-24 years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 87% smoked it as a joint, 77% smoked it in a bong or pipe, 59% mixed it with tobacco, 42% ate it (e.g., hash cookies), and 5%* used it by other methods.
Among Australians aged 25-29 years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 86% smoked it as a joint, 72% smoked it in a bong or pipe, 65% mixed it with tobacco, 53% ate it (e.g., hash cookies), and 8% used it by other methods.
Among Australians aged 14-17 years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 74% smoked it as a joint, 77% smoked it from a bong or pipe, 55% mixed it with tobacco, 21%* ate it (e.g., hash cookies), 3%** inhaled it through a vaporising device, and 0% used it by other methods.
Among Australians aged 18-24 years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 85% smoked it as a joint, 79% smoked it from a bong or pipe, 52% mixed it with tobacco, 50% ate it (e.g., hash cookies), 9% inhaled it through a vaporising device, and 6% used it by other methods.
Among Australians aged 25-29 years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 87% smoked it as a joint, 70% smoked it from a bong or pipe, 61% mixed it with tobacco, 56% ate it (e.g., hash cookies), 11% inhaled it through a vaporising device, and 5%* used it by other methods.
Among Australians aged 30-39 years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 86% smoked it as a joint, 71% smoked it from a bong or pipe, 58% mixed it with tobacco, 53% ate it (e.g., hash cookies), 8% inhaled it through a vaporising device, and 10% used it by other methods.
Among Australians aged 40-49 years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 81% smoked it as a joint, 71% smoked it from a bong or pipe, 53% mixed it with tobacco, 51% ate it (e.g., hash cookies), 5%* inhaled it through a vaporising device, and 6% used it by other methods.
Among Australians aged 50-59 years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 75% smoked it as a joint, 71% smoked it from a bong or pipe, 42% mixed it with tobacco, 37% ate it (e.g., hash cookies), 3%* inhaled it through a vaporising device, and 5%* used it by other methods.
Among Australians aged 60+ years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 69% smoked it as a joint, 51% smoked it from a bong or pipe, 32% mixed it with tobacco, 44% ate it (e.g., hash cookies), 3%** inhaled it through a vaporising device, and 7%* used it by other methods.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
Please note: Percentages do not tally to 100% as respondents could select more than one response.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use.