A cross-sectional exploration of smoking status and social interaction in a large population-based Australian cohort

► This population-based cohort study is the largest study ever conducted in the southern hemisphere with 266,848 participants. ► We show for the first time that smoking behaviour is associated with fewer social interactions in the Australian population. ► Passive smoke exposure is significantly related to social interaction outcomes among smokers. ► Ex-smokers who had quit many years ago reported higher levels of social interaction than recent quitters.