Profile
Eritrea Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Eritrea Background
Profile
Eritrea Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Data sourced: 2023.   Page updated: 2025-06-19

As of 2010, there were approximately 41,000 current users of traditional smokeless tobacco in Eritrea. The adult current use prevalence was 2.2% overall—11.6% among men and just 0.1% among women. Daily use prevalence was 2%, with 10.8% of men and 0.1% of women using smokeless tobacco daily. Traditional smokeless tobacco is allowed in Eritrea and is regulated as a tobacco product. Thus the use and sale of the product are legal, and it is also legal to purchase online. There is a ban on all advertising, and health warnings on packaging are required. The minimum legal age to buy smokeless tobacco is 18 years.

Prevalence

References:
  1. 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-eri.pdf?sfvrsn=78e875a1_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/
  2. 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-eri.pdf?sfvrsn=78e875a1_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Comments:
  1. Adults survey: Eritrea STEPS survey, 2010; National, ages 25-74 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/
  2. Adults survey: Eritrea STEPS survey, 2010; National, ages 25-74

Product promotion

References:
  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-eri.pdf?sfvrsn=78e875a1_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.

Regulation

References:
  1. Tobacco Conrol Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Eritrea. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/eritrea/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 30 May 2025.
  2. 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-eri.pdf?sfvrsn=78e875a1_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.

Availability

References:
  1. Tobacco Conrol Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Eritrea. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/eritrea/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 30 May 2025.
  2. 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-eri.pdf?sfvrsn=78e875a1_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.

Regulations and restrictions

References:
  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-eri.pdf?sfvrsn=78e875a1_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.

Publications

Sep
2022

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.

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.