Top Stories from Costa Rica
7.8% of the adult population are current smokers
There are approximately 323,000 current smokers in Costa Rica
11.8% of men are current smokers but only 4% of women
Country profile
Data sourced:
2025.
Page updated:
2026-08-10
Smoking in Costa Rica
Current smoking prevalence trends in the general population in Costa Rica have declined from 18% in 2000 to 12% in 2015, and are projected to decrease further to around 9.5% by 2025. For men the decrease has been from 27% in 2000 to 18% in 2015, and is projected to decrease further to 14% by 2025. For women the decrease has been from 10% in 2000 to 6% in 2015, with a projected further decrease to 5% by 2025. The WHO published prevalence trend estimates in tobacco smoking, as shown here, in their 2018 2nd edition report, which show slightly different smoking prevalence to the WHO country profiles. Data for the estimates are not age standardised, and were obtained from WHO databases. The trend lines are projections, not predictions, of future attainment. A projection indicates a likely endpoint if the country maintains its tobacco control efforts at the same level that it has implemented them to date. Therefore the impact of recent interventions could alter the expected endpoint shown in the projection. While the methods of estimation used in the first and second editions of the WHO report are the same, the volume of data available for the second edition is larger i.e. 200 more national surveys. The results presented are therefore more robust.
1,575
Deaths
tobacco smoking causes 1,575 deaths per year in Costa Rica.
1.6%
e-cigarette vaping
In Costa Rica, E-cigarettes use reached 1.6% in 2022, a figure that points to an increase awareness and accessibility of such products.
Nicotine Vaping Devices
in Costa Rica
E-cigarettes and vaping are legally allowed in Costa Rica, including purchases through online channels. However, the law requires manufacturers to notify the authorities about the introduction of new vaping products to the market and to include health warnings on their packaging. There are no restrictions on flavours or nicotine content. However, a minimum age of 18 years is required to purchase e-cigarettes, and vaping is prohibited in public places.
There were an estimated 64,924 current vapers in Costa Rica in 2022, representing an adult current vaping prevalence of 1.6% (1% among females and 2.2% among males).
Heated Tobacco Products
in Costa Rica
In Costa Rico, Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) are allowed for sale and use. Sales of HTPs through online channels are not allowed but they are available and can be purchased from general retail stores. The law requires mandatory health warnings on their packaging and places restrictions on their flavours. In 2022, there were an estimated 1,623 HTP users in Costa Rica, representing an adult current prevalence of 0.04%.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
in Costa Rica
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is allowed in Costa Rica, including the sale of its products without a prescription. NRT products are available in pharmacies. They are not included on the country’s essential drugs list, but the government provides full financial support for NRT.
Snus
in Costa Rica
Used in Scandinavia for more than 200 years, snus is providing smokers in Sweden and Norway with an alternative to combustible cigarettes. Find out what it is, and why it is considered a safer nicotine product in our briefing paper.
Pouches
in Costa Rica
Nicotine pouches are a relatively new product which can provide users of high-risk tobacco with an alternative that poses fewer risks to their health. Read more about nicotine pouches in our briefing paper
The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team.
However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice.
We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product
categories can change at short notice and with little publicity.
If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region,
you should verify the information independently.
If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details
and any references and we will rectify any errors.