How Perth Smokers Are Using Rolling Tobacco as a Step Toward Quitting Smoking Entirely

Perth smokers are increasingly turning to rolling tobacco as part of their journey toward quitting smoking completely. This shift represents a growing awareness among Western Australian smokers about the importance of taking control of their smoking habits, even if the transition involves multiple steps rather than immediate cessation.

Understanding the Perth Smoking Landscape

Western Australia's smoking rates have increased for the first time since 1995, rising from 10 per cent in 2022-23 to 12 per cent in 2025. Cost of living pressures have contributed to more people taking up bad habits, with financial constraints making tobacco choices a significant factor in smoker behaviour. In 2022, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that 10.6 percent of Australians aged 18 and over were daily smokers.

Within this context, rolling tobacco has emerged as a popular choice. Roll-your-own tobacco is a common choice in Australia, with 13.9 per cent of people who smoke cigarettes using roll-your-own only and 32.7 per cent using roll-your-own along with factory-made cigarettes. This pattern reflects both cost considerations and evolving perceptions about tobacco products.

The Cost Factor Driving Changes

Price is the leading factor driving the use of roll-your-own tobacco in Australia. Roll-your-own cigarettes are about 30 per cent cheaper than factory-made cigarettes on a cost-per-cigarette basis. The high price of smoking has led some smokers to switch to rollies as a less costly substitute, particularly during periods of economic pressure.

This cost advantage has made rolling tobacco accessible to Perth smokers looking to reduce their tobacco expenses while maintaining their smoking habits during their quit journey. Lower costs allow smokers to potentially purchase smaller amounts as they gradually reduce consumption, making the transition toward quitting more manageable financially.

Why Smokers Choose Rolling Tobacco During Quit Attempts

Some smokers experience rolling tobacco as tasting less harsh and having a less chemically taste than factory-made cigarettes. They believe there to be fewer additives in rolling tobacco, though research shows this perception is incorrect. Roll-your-own tobacco has significantly more additives than manufactured cigarettes, including flavourings and humectants to keep the tobacco from drying out.

Young roll-your-own smokers identify attributes such as lower cost or better value as key benefits, and some also perceive rolling tobacco to taste smoother and be less harmful than factory-made cigarettes. This perception, while scientifically inaccurate, influences smoker behaviour during quit attempts. Some smokers also experience rolling tobacco as tasting smoother and believe it causes less damage to their body, contributing to their decision to switch during quit journeys.

The Reality About Health Risks

Despite common misconceptions, rollies are at least as risky as smoking any other sort of tobacco product. Roll-your-own cigarettes provide nicotine and carcinogens like benzene similar to manufactured cigarettes. Decades of research has proven that smokers who smoke roll-your-own cigarettes are just as likely to develop lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases.

Half of young people in Victoria who smoke believe that roll-your-own cigarettes are less dangerous for them, and they are very wrong. Roll-your-own (rollie) tobacco contains at least as many additives by weight as the tobacco found in factory-made cigarettes. Some of these additives can mask the harmful effects of the toxic smoke, making it seem less dangerous than it actually is, and they can contribute to further damage to your body.

Perth Smokers' Quit Journey Approach

Many Perth smokers view switching to rolling tobacco as an intermediate step rather than the final solution. A successful quit attempt often starts with setting a realistic and firm quit date, ideally within the next two weeks. This provides time to prepare while maintaining momentum. Key steps in preparing include informing close friends or family members for support, removing cigarettes and lighters from home and workplace, and identifying daily routines associated with smoking.

Research shows you are more likely to quit tobacco and stay quit when you speak with a GP who can discuss options and provide scripts for subsidised stop smoking medication, talk with Quitline on 13 7848 where counsellors are qualified in helping people to quit, and use stop smoking medication like nicotine patches and gum or prescribed quitting smoking tablets to help manage feelings of nicotine withdrawal.

Effective Quit Strategies for Perth Residents

The most common methods used by Australian smokers to attempt to quit smoking are going cold turkey, followed by using e-cigarettes to cut down on tobacco. Techniques to manage cravings include delaying smoking by at least 10 minutes to let the urge pass, distracting yourself by engaging in another activity such as walking or talking to someone, using relaxation techniques to stay calm, and drinking water since hydration can help reduce cravings and improve focus.

To reduce the risk of relapse, avoid situations strongly associated with smoking, continue using support systems including family and friends, replace smoking with healthier habits like exercise and hobbies, and track progress while rewarding milestones. Quitline counsellors in Australia help build and sustain a person's motivation and help build a quit plan that suits them, having helped thousands of people quit.

Important Considerations for Rollers Tobacco Users

Quitting roll-your-own cigarettes is beneficial for your health both immediately and in the long term. It will also improve the health of your family and friends and help you save money. Quitting smoking can be hard, so approach your friends and family to help, discuss wikth your GP or contact Quitline on 13 7848 for help and advice.

Despite the perception that rolling tobacco is more natural and safer, the opposite is true. Companies use similar additives in loose tobacco as they do in cigarettes, and these additives tend to be added in even higher amounts. A 2014 British Medical Journal study showed that roll-your-own cigarettes are at least as harmful as factory-rolled, and quite possibly more so.

Taking the Next Step Toward Complete Cessation

While switching to rolling tobacco in Perth may provide temporary cost benefits and feel like progress, the ultimate goal should be complete smoking cessation. The most effective approach combines professional support with evidence-based strategies. Speaking with healthcare providers, utilising Quitline services, and accessing subsidised stop smoking medications dramatically increases success rates.

For Perth smokers seeking reliable tobacco products while working toward their quit goals, My Cigs Australia offers convenient access to rolling tobacco and cigarettes in Perth with fast delivery options. Their service provides accessible products for smokers at any stage of their journey, from those considering quitting to those actively working toward complete cessation through professional support programs.