About

3.2% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 2.1 million current smokers in Ethiopia

5.5% of men are current smokers but only 0.9% of women

Quick links to detailed datasheets for Ethiopia
Cigarettes E-cigarettes Snus Pouches HTP NRT
Country profile
Data sourced: 2022.   Page updated: 2023-10-10

Smoking in Ethiopia

Current smoking prevalence has decreased only slightly for both men and women in Ethiopia according to WHO trend data. The overall prevalence of current smoking has remained at around 4.4% since 2000, and is projected to stay at around 4% until 2025. For men, smoking prevalence has remained at around 8% and is projected to remain at that level; similarly, women’ smoking prevalence was just over 0.5% in 2000, and is projected to decrease to just under 0.3% over the same period. 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.

16,874

Deaths

In Ethiopia, 16874 people die each year due to tobacco smoking.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Ethiopia

According to the WHO there is a nationwide ban on the importation of e-cigarettes and e-liquids in Ethiopia. There are sub-national bans on smoking in all public places, which also apply to e-cigarettes. In-country experts advise that the sale of e-cigarettes is not in fact banned, however a recent ruling in February 2019 stated that the minimum age for e-cigarette sales is 21, as part of Proclamation 1112/2019 from the Federal Negarit Gazette of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Heated Tobacco Products

in Ethiopia

HTP is banned. HTP is legal to market.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Ethiopia

There is no information about using NRT

Snus

in Ethiopia

Snus is allowed. Snus is legal to use.

Pouches

in Ethiopia

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.