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Smoking, vaping, HTP, NRT and snus in Costa Rica

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  2. Global Smoking and Tobacco Harm Reduction Database
  3. Smoking, vaping, HTP, NRT and snus in Costa Rica
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Profile
Costa Rica Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Costa Rica Background
Profile
Costa Rica Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT

8.8% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 357,084 current smokers in Costa Rica

13.2% of men are current smokers but only 4.5% of women

Country profile
Data sourced: 2024.   Page updated: 2025-01-07

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

1575 people die every year due to tobacco smoking in Costa Rica.

1.3%

e-cigarette vaping

Adult e-cigarette vaping prevalence is 1.3%.

Details & datasheet on smoking in Costa Rica

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Costa Rica

E-cigarettes are referred to as Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) in a decree (No. 37185-S-MEIC-MTSS-MP-H-SP) of 2012, and are classified as tobacco products. Sales are allowed in accordance with the tobacco control law (No. 9028, 2012). Any form of advertisement, promotion or sponsorship is prohibited outside of adult-only venues/events or direct communications. The use of nicotine-containing products in enclosed public places and on public transport is banned. Non-nicotine products are regulated by the Registry for Dangerous Products, though their marketing is not regulated.

Details & datasheet on vaping in Costa Rica

Heated Tobacco Products

in Costa Rica

Advertising of HTP is allowed.

Details & datasheet on HTP in Costa Rica

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica you don't need a prescription to purchase NRT.

Details & datasheet on NRT in Costa Rica

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.

Details & datasheet on snus in Costa Rica

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

Details & datasheet on pouches in Costa Rica
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.
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