Data sourced:
2025.
Page updated:
2025-10-30
In Costa Rica, smoking is legal with certain restrictions. Cigarette sales are permitted. However, purchasing them, through online or from vending machines is not allowed. Importing cigarettes for trade is legal with a license. Health warnings on cigarette packaging are mandatory, and the minimum legal age for purchasing cigarettes is 18 years. There are also legal restrictions on smoking in public spaces, and a complete ban on cigarette advertising is in place. Cigarettes are taxed at a total rate of 73%.
As of 2024, Costa Rica had approximately 323,000 current smokers, corresponding to an adult current smoking prevalence of 7.8%. Among adult males, the current smoking prevalence was 11.8%, and among females, it was 4%. For reference, the adult daily smoking prevalence in 2015 was 5.8%—8.7% among males and 2.9% among females. In terms of mortality, in 2021, an estimated 20 deaths were attributed to tobacco smoking, including 15 male and 5 female deaths. This shows that smoking accounted for approximately 12.17% of all deaths in the country—15.76% among males and 6.96% among females.
Prevalence
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 385,466 | 1A |
| 2024 | 323,000 | 1B |
References:
- (1) WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000-2025, third edition. (2019). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-global-report-on-trends-in-prevalence-of-tobacco-use-2000-2025-third-edition. (2) Department of Economic and Social Affairs (Ed.). (2019). World Population Prospects 2019 (Online Edition Rev. 1.; Population Division). United Nations. https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 8.9% | 1A A |
| 2019 | 9.8% | 1B |
| 2020 | 8.9% | 1C |
| 2022 | 8.8% | 1D B |
| 2024 | 7.8% | 1E |
References:
- WHO. 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-cri.pdf?sfvrsn=7f4e4b8b_3&download=true. Accessed: 10 June 2025.
- WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000-2025, third edition. (2019). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-global-report-on-trends-in-prevalence-of-tobacco-use-2000-2025-third-edition.
- WHO. (2021). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000-2025, fourth edition (4th ed). World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/348537
- WHO. (2024). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2030. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240088283
- WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
Comments:
- Adults survey: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2015; National, ages 15+
- Current tobacco smoking rates among people aged 15 years and older, 2022 estimates. Crude adjusted prevalence (%).
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 4.4% | 1A A |
| 2019 | 5% | 1B |
| 2020 | 4.6% | 1C |
| 2022 | 4.5% | 1D B |
| 2024 | 4% | 1E |
References:
- WHO. 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-cri.pdf?sfvrsn=7f4e4b8b_3&download=true. Accessed: 10 June 2025.
- WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000-2025, third edition. (2019). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-global-report-on-trends-in-prevalence-of-tobacco-use-2000-2025-third-edition.
- WHO. (2021). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000-2025, fourth edition (4th ed). World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/348537
- WHO. (2024). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2030. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240088283
- WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
Comments:
- Adults survey: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2015; National, ages 15+
- Current tobacco smoking rates among people aged 15 years and older, 2022 estimates. Crude adjusted prevalence (%).
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 13.4% | 1A A |
| 2019 | 14.7% | 1B |
| 2020 | 13.1% | 1C |
| 2022 | 13.2% | 1D B |
| 2024 | 11.8% | 1E |
References:
- WHO. 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-cri.pdf?sfvrsn=7f4e4b8b_3&download=true. Accessed: 10 June 2025.
- WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000-2025, third edition. (2019). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-global-report-on-trends-in-prevalence-of-tobacco-use-2000-2025-third-edition.
- WHO. (2021). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000-2025, fourth edition (4th ed). World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/348537
- WHO. (2024). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2030. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240088283
- WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
Comments:
- Adults survey: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2015; National, ages 15+
- Current tobacco smoking rates among people aged 15 years and older, 2022 estimates. Crude adjusted prevalence (%).
224,344
2
A
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 or earlier | 5.8% | 3A A |
| 2015 | 5.8% | 3B B |
References:
- Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2015. Available at:https://nccd.cdc.gov/GTSSDataSurveyResources/Ancillary/DataReports.aspx?CAID=1
- WHO. 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-cri.pdf?sfvrsn=7f4e4b8b_3&download=true. Accessed: 10 June 2025.
Comments:
- In Costa Rica, GATS was first conducted in 2015 as a household survey of persons 15 years of age. A multi-stage, geographically clustered sample design was used to produce nationally representative data. There were a total of 8,607 completed individual interviews.
- Adults survey: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2015; National, ages 15+
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 or earlier | 2.9% | 3A A |
| 2015 | 2.9% | 3B B |
References:
- Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2015. Available at:https://nccd.cdc.gov/GTSSDataSurveyResources/Ancillary/DataReports.aspx?CAID=1
- WHO. 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-cri.pdf?sfvrsn=7f4e4b8b_3&download=true. Accessed: 10 June 2025.
Comments:
- In Costa Rica, GATS was first conducted in 2015 as a household survey of persons 15 years of age. A multi-stage, geographically clustered sample design was used to produce nationally representative data. There were a total of 8,607 completed individual interviews.
- Adults survey: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2015; National, ages 15+
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 or earlier | 8.7% | 3A A |
| 2015 | 8.7% | 3B B |
References:
- Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2015. Available at:https://nccd.cdc.gov/GTSSDataSurveyResources/Ancillary/DataReports.aspx?CAID=1
- WHO. 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-cri.pdf?sfvrsn=7f4e4b8b_3&download=true. Accessed: 10 June 2025.
Comments:
- In Costa Rica, GATS was first conducted in 2015 as a household survey of persons 15 years of age. A multi-stage, geographically clustered sample design was used to produce nationally representative data. There were a total of 8,607 completed individual interviews.
- Adults survey: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2015; National, ages 15+
References:
- WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
- Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2015. Available at:https://nccd.cdc.gov/GTSSDataSurveyResources/Ancillary/DataReports.aspx?CAID=1
- WHO. 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-cri.pdf?sfvrsn=7f4e4b8b_3&download=true. Accessed: 10 June 2025.
Comments:
- In Costa Rica, GATS was first conducted in 2015 as a household survey of persons 15 years of age. A multi-stage, geographically clustered sample design was used to produce nationally representative data. There were a total of 8,607 completed individual interviews.
- Adults survey: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2015; National, ages 15+
Smoking-related mortality
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,187 | 1A |
| 2021 | 1,575 | 1B A |
References:
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
- Number of tobacco-related deaths in the population in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 339 | 1A |
| 2021 | 379 | 1B A |
References:
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
- Number of tobacco-related deaths in the population in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 848 | 1A |
| 2021 | 1,196 | 1B A |
References:
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
- Number of tobacco-related deaths in the population in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 6.06% | 1A |
| 2021 | 5.12% | 1B B |
References:
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
- Percentage of tobacco-related deaths to deaths from all causes in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3.7% | 1A |
| 2021 | 2.87% | 1B B |
References:
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
- Percentage of tobacco-related deaths to deaths from all causes in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 7% | 1A |
| 2021 | 6.82% | 1B B |
References:
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
- Percentage of tobacco-related deaths to deaths from all causes in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
References:
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
- Number of tobacco-related deaths in the population in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
- Percentage of tobacco-related deaths to deaths from all causes in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
Product promotion
References:
- WHO. 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-cri.pdf?sfvrsn=7f4e4b8b_3&download=true. Accessed: 10 June 2025.
Regulation
References:
- WHO. 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-cri.pdf?sfvrsn=7f4e4b8b_3&download=true. Accessed: 10 June 2025.
Comments:
- There are some restrictions.
Availability
Yes
1
A
2023
No
1
2023
Yes
1
A
2023
No
1
2023
Yes
2
B
2025
Yes
1
A
2023
References:
- WHO. 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-cri.pdf?sfvrsn=7f4e4b8b_3&download=true. Accessed: 10 June 2025.
- World Bank. Cigarettes containing tobacco imports by country in 2023. Available at: https://wits.worldbank.org/trade/comtrade/en/country/ALL/year/2023/tradeflow/Imports/partner/WLD/product/240220. Accessed: 2 July 2025.
Comments:
- There are some restrictions.
- An import license is required.
Regulations and restrictions
YES
1
2023
Yes: 18 years
1
2023
YES
1
2023
References:
- WHO. 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-cri.pdf?sfvrsn=7f4e4b8b_3&download=true. Accessed: 10 June 2025.
Tax
0.55
1
A
2023
References:
- WHO. 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-cri.pdf?sfvrsn=7f4e4b8b_3&download=true. Accessed: 10 June 2025.
Comments:
- Total taxes: 55.14%
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