Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton has opened up about her battle with nicotine addiction as debate rages over the state’s growing tobacco problem.

Winton’s smoking has been thrust into the debate after it was revealed smoking rates had increased for the first time in 30 years last financial year – up from 10 to 12 per cent in two years – at the same time there was a growth in the sales of illegal tobacco.

Forecasts in 2017 predicted the smoking rate would be as low as five per cent by 2028.

Education and Preventative health Minister Sabine Winton. Credit: Hamish Hastie

Winton said she didn’t want to be a smoker and was grateful her daughters never picked it up.

“I don’t think there’s too many smokers that are happy to be smokers. I’ve declared my addiction to nicotine, an

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