View of Tallinn's Old Town with its medieval stone towers, red-tiled roofs, and the spire of St. Olaf's Church under a partly cloudy sky.

25% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 271,876 current smokers in Estonia

31.2% of men are current smokers but only 18% of women

Quick links to detailed datasheets for Estonia
Country profile
Data sourced: 2024.   Page updated: 2024-07-23

Smoking in Estonia

There has been a steady overall downwards trend for prevalence of current smokers in the general population in Estonia since 2006. 23% of Estonians were current smokers in 2017, down significantly from 33% in 2006. The prevalence decreased every year until 2017, when it increased by 1% from the previous survey in 2014. These data come from the Eurobarometer surveys, the most recent of which was carried out in 2017. In the most recent survey a total of 27,901 respondents from different social and demographic groups were interviewed face-to-face at home, in their mother tongue, across all 28 of the EU countries. The sample for each country is representative, however the sample sizes are relatively small (e.g. most countries had just over 1000 participants, but for Italy, Malta and Lithuania the sample was around 500). Nevertheless, the Eurobarometer surveys are useful as they have estimates for smoking prevalence collected over a number of years which can show trends, as described here.

2,056

Deaths

2056 people die every year due to tobacco smoking in Estonia.

1.7 million €

Market size of NRT.

NRT market size is estimated to be 1.7 million €.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Estonia

Estonia abides by the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) (2014). E-cigarettes are classified as tobacco related products and are regulated by the Tobacco Act 2016. They may also be brought to the market as medicinal products, in which case they would be regulated by the Medical Devices Act. Sales of e-cigarettes to, on behalf of, or by minors (under 18 years) is prohibited. Possession and use of e-cigarettes by minors are also prohibited in Estonia. Advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes are banned by the Tobacco Act (2016) and by the Advertising Act (2015). Vaping is not allowed in a multitude of mainly youth or child focussed public places, such as children’s social welfare institutions, pre-schools, schools, vocational institutions, hobby schools, youth centres or youth camps. In 2017, an excise tax on e-cigarette fluid was introduced at €0.20 per millilitre (€2.00 per standard bottle). From July 2019, flavours for e-cigarettes are banned.

Heated Tobacco Products

in Estonia

The prevalence of current using HTP among adults is 2%. Daily using HTP prevalence is at 1.8%. HTP is allowed. HTP is legal to market.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Estonia

NRT market size is estimated to be 1.7 million €. In Estonia you don't need a prescription to purchase NRT. NRT is legal to market. NRT are available in Pharmacy.

Snus

in Estonia

The prevalence of daily using snus among adults is 2%. The sale of Snus is banned. Snus is legal to use.

Pouches

in Estonia

The prevalence of current using pouches among adults is 1%. Daily using pouches prevalence is at 5%. Pouches are allowed.

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.