People living in remote locations are about 1.7 times more likely to smoke than people living in major cities, according to the Rural Doctors Association of Australia.

Rates are even higher in Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly Indigenous women.

But the NT Government is hoping its new plan will de-normalise smoking and reduce uptake by young people.

The release of the Northern Territory Tobacco Action Plan 2019-2023 coincided with World No-Tobacco Day, last week.

"While NT tobacco consumption rates are reducing, historically the Northern Territory has and continues to have the highest rate of smoking per capita in Australia," Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles said.

"This Tobacco Action Plan supports ongoing efforts to reduce this prevalence."

Key target groups are pregnant women and their families, children and young people, people with mental illness and people released from NT Prisons.

Chair of the Northern Territory Tobacco Control Action Committee, Professor David Thomas, said a key feature of the action plan is its focus on disadvantaged groups.

"Many of these groups have much higher rates of smoking than the general population," he said.

"Special emphasis is placed on reducing harm for Aboriginal Territorians, who suffer the greatest burden from tobacco use.

"These actions will benefit Territorians by reducing the incidence of smoking related harms, increasing public amenity by expanding smoke-free areas, and reducing adverse impacts and costs related to illnesses caused by smoking."

The implementation of the plan will be overseen by the NTTCAC, and focus on media campaigns to promote positive role models, increasing smoke free spaces in homes, workplaces and public settings, and helping to sustain quit attempts and prevent relapse.

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