Smoking Skin Conditions Australia: 3 Critical Facts Smokers Miss

By Michael Whelehan | Certified Master Hypnotherapist and Master NLP Practitioner | Breathe Hypnotherapy | Updated September 2026

Smoking skin conditions are a different issue from the cosmetic ageing most people think of, and the evidence is strongest for psoriasis, an immune-mediated skin disease. Australian researchers working with the Australasian Psoriasis Registry describe smoking, in an abstract presented at the Australasian College of Dermatologists’ 2024 scientific meeting, as an important modifiable risk factor that increases both the likelihood of developing psoriasis and the severity of the disease. For eczema, the picture is far less clear.

How Big Is the Smoking Skin Conditions Link?

It depends on the condition. For psoriasis, a nationwide cohort study found that both current and former smokers had an increased risk of developing the condition, and the finding held after adjusting for other factors. That paper also cites an earlier meta-analysis reporting a pooled odds ratio of 1.72 for moderate to severe psoriasis, which means roughly 70 percent higher odds compared with non-smokers.

The Australian registry abstract adds local context. Of the 395 participants, who had psoriasis severe enough to be eligible for biologic treatment under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, 24.6 percent were current smokers and 18.5 percent were former smokers.

3 Facts About Smoking Skin Conditions

• Smoking is linked to developing psoriasis. The cohort study and meta-analysis above both point in the same direction. Because these are observational studies, they show an association, not proof that smoking causes every case.
• More smoking is linked to more severe psoriasis. A cross-sectional study of psoriasis patients found a positive correlation between the amount smoked and psoriasis severity scores, along with more nail involvement and more cardiovascular disease among smokers. It is a single study, so treat it as a signal rather than a settled figure.
• The eczema evidence is mixed. A meta-analysis in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology suggests tobacco exposure might be a modifiable risk factor for atopic dermatitis. However, a 2026 registry study reports that surveys in Oslo and Korea found no significant association, and its own data linked smoking to the area of skin affected but only weakly, or not at all, to severity or quality of life.

How Smoking Skin Conditions Differ From Skin Ageing

If you were expecting wrinkles and dull skin, that is a separate topic. Our guide to smoking and skin ageing covers the cosmetic effects. This article is about skin diseases, which involve the immune system and are diagnosed and managed by doctors.

What the Smoking Skin Conditions Research Means If You Quit

The authors of the cross-sectional study conclude that supporting smoking cessation may help reduce the adverse impact of smoking on psoriasis. That is a cautious conclusion, and it is the most the evidence supports. It does not promise that quitting will clear your skin.

Evidence on whether smoking changes how well psoriasis treatments work is also conflicting, according to the Australian registry abstract. If you have psoriasis or eczema, keep following your dermatologist’s or GP’s treatment plan, and tell them you are working on quitting.

Why Willpower Alone Often Isn’t Enough

Most smokers already know the risks. Anyone who has tried patches, gum, or sheer willpower and gone back to smoking knows that knowing the danger and being free of the habit are different things. Nicotine dependence runs through the subconscious mind and the body’s stress response, not just conscious decision-making, which is why so many quit attempts fail even when someone genuinely wants to stop.

How Hypnotherapy Supports Quitting

Hypnotherapy at Breathe Hypnotherapy works with the subconscious patterns that keep the habit running on autopilot. Michael Whelehan works with clients Australia-wide in a single Zoom session, and you can read more about how the process works.

To be clear, hypnotherapy does not treat psoriasis, eczema, or any other skin condition. It helps people stop smoking by working with habit and trigger patterns.

Important Disclaimer

Breathe Hypnotherapy does not provide medical advice and does not diagnose or treat psoriasis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, or any other skin condition. This article is general information about the documented links between smoking and skin conditions, based on peer-reviewed research and an Australian conference abstract, and it does not predict any individual’s outcome. Hypnotherapy at Breathe supports people to stop smoking or vaping. Do not change or stop any prescribed treatment without advice from your doctor. If you have a skin condition or a concerning skin change, speak with your GP or dermatologist.

Ready to Quit For Good

If you’re ready to stop smoking or vaping, Breathe Hypnotherapy offers a free 40-minute assessment to check that it’s the right fit, then a single Zoom session, Australia-wide. If you quit and cravings return later, the lifetime relapse guarantee entitles you to a free re-session. Book your assessment with Michael today.