9.2% of the adult population are current smokers
There are approximately 2.1 million current smokers in Afghanistan
16.6% of men are current smokers but only 1.8% of women
Country profile
Data sourced:
2025.
Page updated:
2025-06-19
Smoking in Afghanistan
9,151
Deaths
9151 people in Afghanistan die from tobacco smoking-related diseases each year.
19.3%
traditional smokeless use
Adult traditional smokeless use prevalence is 19.3%.
Nicotine Vaping Devices
in Afghanistan
As of the latest data available from July 2020, the prevalence of nicotine vaping device (e-cigarette) users in Afghanistan stands at 0.59%, showing an increase from the 0.50% reported in July 2018. This translates to an estimated 123,772 vapers in 2020, compared to 105,772 in 2018, indicating a growth in the number of users over the two-year period. Regulatory status for nicotine vaping devices in Afghanistan remains undefined, as there are no specific laws governing their use. This regulatory gap is corroborated by multiple sources, including Vapetrotter, Global Tobacco Control, and Tobacco Control Laws websites, reflecting a lack of formal legislative measures addressing the rise in e-cigarette usage in the country.
Heated Tobacco Products
in Afghanistan
Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) are banned by law in Afghanistan. Under these regulations, it is illegal to sell, advertise, or market HTPs. The ban on these less harmful nicotine alternatives, compared to combustible cigarettes, will increase the demand for cigarettes in the country, putting smokers at risk of developing smoking-related diseases. In Afghanistan is illegal to sell HTP devices.
Snus
in Afghanistan
There are currently no available online sources regarding the existence of specific laws governing snus in Afghanistan. However, information obtained from an industry source in 2014 indicates that snus is permitted in the country, including its sale and use.
Pouches
in Afghanistan
There are no available online sources indicating specific laws regarding nicotine pouches in Afghanistan, including their sale and purchase. However, these products are available in the country, and people buy and use them. If you have relevant or firsthand information, please share it with the GSTHR team.
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.