Tobacco smoking in Uzbekistan

Smoking is allowed in Uzbekistan but there are some restrictions and regulations for tobacco products. Based on these regulations, the sale and use of cigarettes are legal, and importing cigarettes for trade is allowed with a license. Tobacco advertising is regulated, imposing a complete ban on all forms of advertising. Purchasing cigarettes online is permitted; however, sales from vending machines are prohibited. Additionally, the law requires health warnings on all packaging, sets a minimum legal age of 20 years for sales, and includes legal restrictions on smoking in public places. A total taxation rate of 56.43% with a specific excise rate of 35.39% are applied on cigarettes.

The current prevalence of tobacco smoking among adults aged 15 years and older in Uzbekistan was 10.1% as of 2024, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This figure represents a slight decrease from the prevalence rate of 12.3% recorded in 2019. The prevalence of smoking was notably higher among males, with 19.4% of adult males identified as smokers in 2024, compared to just 0.9% of adult females. The total number of smokers in Uzbekistan was approximately 2.5 million individuals in 2024. For reference, the adult daily smoking prevalence in 2017 was 9.7%, with a prevalence of 18.9% among males and 1% among females.

In terms of tobacco-related mortality, data from 2021 indicate that 8.51% of all deaths in Uzbekistan were attributable to smoking, with a higher percentage among males (12.79%) compared to females (3.38%). The total number of smoking-related deaths in 2021 was documented to be 16,996. These statistics underscore the ongoing public health challenges posed by tobacco smoking in Uzbekistan, necessitating continued public health efforts in reducing tobacco health impacts.