In 2017, there were approximately 60,300 current users of traditional smokeless tobacco in Botswana. The overall prevalence of current use among adults was 4.3 percent, with 6.3 percent among females and 2.1 percent among males. Daily use prevalence was 3.1 percent overall, including 4.5 percent among females and 1.6 percent among males. Traditional smokeless tobacco is allowed and regulated as a tobacco product in Botswana. It is legal to use, sell, and purchase the product. The minimum legal age for sales is 18 years. However, health warnings on packaging are not required.
Prevalence
- 1. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-bwa.pdf?sfvrsn=4f687158_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-bwa.pdf?sfvrsn=4f687158_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
- Adults survey: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2017; National, ages 15+ World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- Adults survey: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2017; National, ages 15+
Product promotion
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Botswana. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/botswana/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 23 May 2025.
Regulation
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Botswana. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/botswana/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 23 May 2025.
Availability
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Botswana. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/botswana/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 23 May 2025.
Regulations and restrictions
- WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-bwa.pdf?sfvrsn=4f687158_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Publications
Tobacco harm reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa
With the number of tobacco users across the continent set to rise by 2025, we look at the current state of tobacco harm reduction in the region, assessing the progress made so far and the obstacles preventing greater adoption of safer nicotine products.
