10% of the adult population are current smokers
There are approximately 1.3 million current smokers in Ecuador
17.6% of men are current smokers but only 2.5% of women
Country profile
Data sourced:
2025.
Page updated:
2025-11-05
Smoking in Ecuador
The trend in current smoking prevalence in the general population in Ecuador shows a decrease from 13.5% in 2000 to 7% in 2015, and a projected decrease to 5% by 2025 according to WHO trend data. For men the prevalence was 21% in 2000 and decreased to 12.5% in 2015, with a projected further decrease to 9% by 2025. For women the prevalence was 6% in 2000, which decreased to 2% in 2015 and is projected to be around 1% 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.
3,605
Deaths
3,605 people die every year due to tobacco smoking in Ecuador.
2.2%
e-cigarette vaping
In Ecuador, the estimated prevalence of E-cigarettes use was 2.2% in Ecuador.
Nicotine Vaping Devices
in Ecuador
It is legal to sell or use e-cigarettes in Ecuador, where they are considered “Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems” which are included in Decree No.1047 and the Tobacco Regulation Control Act 2011. Restrictions on smoking in public places also apply to e-cigarettes. Advertising of e-cigarettes is only allowed in venues accessed solely by adults. Restrictions do not apply to non-nicotine containing e-cigarettes.
Heated Tobacco Products
in Ecuador
In Ecuador, heated tobacco products are regulated the same as e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, under Article. 1 of the Tobacco Control (LORCT) Regulations.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
in Ecuador
You can't advertise NRT in Ecuador.
Snus
in Ecuador
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.
Pouches
in Ecuador
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
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.