Tobacco smoking in Guatemala

Guatemala regulates tobacco products with a specific set of restrictions. Under this regulatory framework, it is legally allowed to sell, smoke, and import cigarettes for trade. The country also permits sales through online platforms and vending machines. Current regulations mandate health warnings on cigarette packaging and enforce a minimum age requirement of 18 years for purchase. Additionally, legal restrictions on smoke in public places are in effect, specifically in areas such as healthcare and educational facilities. Advertising is regulated, but a total ban on all forms of advertising is not currently in place. From a fiscal standpoint, cigarettes are subject to a total taxation rate of 48.98%, with no specific excise tax value.

The prevalence and associated deaths from tobacco smoking among adults aged 15 years and older in Guatemala is a significant public health concern. As of 2024, the current prevalence of smokers among adult males was 21.2%, while among adult females it was 1.7%, with an overall current prevalence of 11%. This represents approximately 1,4 million smokers. In comparison, data from 2020 indicated a slight increase in these figures, with a current prevalence of 21% among adult males and 1.6% among adult females. For reference, the adult daily smoking prevalence in 2017 was 3.7%, with 8.3% among males and 0.9% among females.

The annual number of deaths attributable to tobacco smoking in Guatemala in 2021 was recorded to be 3,057, accounting for approximately 2.71% of all deaths in the country, with 3.31% among males and 1.9% among females. This represents a decrease from 2016 figures, which reported a total of 2,817 smoking-related deaths, corresponding to 3.45% of all deaths. These statistics underscore the ongoing impact of smoking on public health in Guatemala, highlighting the need for effective public health measures to address this issue.