Profile
Ethiopia Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Ethiopia Background
Profile
Ethiopia Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Data sourced: 2025.   Page updated: 2025-12-11

Smoking is allowed in Ethiopia, but tobacco products including cigarettes are subject to legal control policies. Based on these regulations, a comprehensive ban on all tobacco advertising, including cigarettes, is enforced. Health warnings on their packaging are required, and smoking is restricted in public places such as indoor workplaces, public transport, and various common areas. There is also a minimum age restriction on sales of 21 years. Cigarettes are subject to an excise tax of 20% and a total taxation rate of 48.49%. However, retail sale is allowed, and importing tobacco products for trade is allowed with a proper license. Notably, the sale of tobacco through vending machines and the internet is prohibited.

The current prevalence of tobacco smoking in Ethiopia among adults aged 15 years and older was estimated to be 3.1% in 2024, with a current prevalence of 5.3% among males and 0.9% among females. This figure represents a slight decrease from 3.2% in 2020 and 3.4% in 2019. The total number of tobacco smokers in 2024 was estimated to be approximately 2.5 million, showing a slight increase from 2.1 million in 2020.

Smoking-related mortality in Ethiopia was also significant, with 8.395 deaths reported in 2021, accounting for 1.14% of all deaths in the country that year. Smoking-related deaths accounted for 1.63% of all male deaths and 0.43% of all female deaths in 2021. These statistics underscore the ongoing public health burden posed by tobacco smoking in Ethiopia and require efficient public health measures to mitigate its impacts.

Prevalence

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Year Value Reference/Comment
2019 2.2 million 1A
2024 2.5 million 1B
References:
  1. (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/
  2. 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
2019 3.4% 1A
2020 3.2% 1B
2022 3.1% 1C A
2024 3.1% 1D
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. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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:
  1. Current tobacco smoking rates among people aged 15 years and older, 2022 estimates. Crude adjusted prevalence (%).
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Year Value Reference/Comment
2019 0.7% 1A
2020 0.9% 1B
2022 0.9% 1C A
2024 0.9% 1D
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. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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:
  1. Current tobacco smoking rates among people aged 15 years and older, 2022 estimates. Crude adjusted prevalence (%).
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Year Value Reference/Comment
2019 6.1% 1A
2020 5.5% 1B
2022 5.5% 1C A
2024 5.3% 1D
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. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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:
  1. Current tobacco smoking rates among people aged 15 years and older, 2022 estimates. Crude adjusted prevalence (%).
1.9 million
2 A
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Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier 3.2% 3A A
2016 3.2% 3B B
References:
  1. Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2016. Available at:https://nccd.cdc.gov/GTSSDataSurveyResources/Ancillary/DataReports.aspx?CAID=1
  2. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2016; National, ages 15+. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile.
Comments:
  1. In Ethiopia, GATS was implemented in 2016 as a national household survey among persons 15 years of age or older. A multi-stage, geographically clustered sample design was used to produce nationally representative data. There were 10,150 completed individual interviews.
  2. Prevalence of daily tobacco smoking from the latest survey.
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Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier 1.1% 3A A
2016 1.1% 3B B
References:
  1. Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2016. Available at:https://nccd.cdc.gov/GTSSDataSurveyResources/Ancillary/DataReports.aspx?CAID=1
  2. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2016; National, ages 15+. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile.
Comments:
  1. In Ethiopia, GATS was implemented in 2016 as a national household survey among persons 15 years of age or older. A multi-stage, geographically clustered sample design was used to produce nationally representative data. There were 10,150 completed individual interviews.
  2. Prevalence of daily tobacco smoking from the latest survey.
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Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier 5.2% 3A A
2016 5.2% 3B B
References:
  1. Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2016. Available at:https://nccd.cdc.gov/GTSSDataSurveyResources/Ancillary/DataReports.aspx?CAID=1
  2. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2016; National, ages 15+. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile.
Comments:
  1. In Ethiopia, GATS was implemented in 2016 as a national household survey among persons 15 years of age or older. A multi-stage, geographically clustered sample design was used to produce nationally representative data. There were 10,150 completed individual interviews.
  2. Prevalence of daily tobacco smoking from the latest survey.
References:
  1. 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
  2. Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2016. Available at:https://nccd.cdc.gov/GTSSDataSurveyResources/Ancillary/DataReports.aspx?CAID=1
  3. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2016; National, ages 15+. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile.
Comments:
  1. In Ethiopia, GATS was implemented in 2016 as a national household survey among persons 15 years of age or older. A multi-stage, geographically clustered sample design was used to produce nationally representative data. There were 10,150 completed individual interviews.
  2. Prevalence of daily tobacco smoking from the latest survey.

Smoking-related mortality

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Year Value Reference/Comment
2016 16,874 1A
2021 8,395 1B A
References:
  1. The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
  2. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
  1. 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 3,405 1A
2021 1,298 1B A
References:
  1. The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
  2. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
  1. 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 13,469 1A
2021 7,097 1B A
References:
  1. The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
  2. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
  1. 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 3.31% 1A
2021 1.14% 1B A
References:
  1. The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
  2. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
  1. 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 1% 1A
2021 0.43% 1B A
References:
  1. The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
  2. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
  1. 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 3.9% 1A
2021 1.63% 1B A
References:
  1. The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
  2. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
  1. 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:
  1. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
  1. 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.
  2. 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:
  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-eth.pdf?sfvrsn=78baa83d_3&download=true. Accessed: 4 December 2025.

Regulation

References:
  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-eth.pdf?sfvrsn=78baa83d_3&download=true. Accessed: 4 December 2025.
Comments:
  1. There are certain restrictions in place.

Availability

References:
  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-eth.pdf?sfvrsn=78baa83d_3&download=true. Accessed: 4 December 2025.
  2. World Integrated Trade Solution. 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: 6 December 2025.
Comments:
  1. There are certain restrictions in place.
  2. An import license is required.

Regulations and restrictions

References:
  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-eth.pdf?sfvrsn=78baa83d_3&download=true. Accessed: 4 December 2025.
Comments:
  1. Restrictions exist in places such as healthcare and educational facilities.

Tax

0.20
1 A
2023
0.48
1 A
2023
References:
  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-eth.pdf?sfvrsn=78baa83d_3&download=true. Accessed: 4 December 2025.
Comments:
  1. 0.20
  2. Total taxation rate: 48.49%
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.