About

10.2% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 6.3 million current smokers in Iran

19.2% of men are current smokers but only 1.2% of women

Quick links to detailed datasheets for Iran
Country profile
Data sourced: 2022.   Page updated: 2023-10-10

Smoking in Iran

There has been a downwards trend in current smoking prevalence in the general population in Iran. Smoking prevalence was 15% in 2000 and declined to 11% in 2015, with a further drop to 9.5% projected by 2025. For men the prevalence decreased from 26.5% in 2000 to 21% in 2015, with a further decrease to 19% projected by 2025. For women a prevalence of 4% in 2000 dropped to less than 1% in 2015, and is projected to decrease further to around 0.3% by 2025. 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.

39,358

Deaths

39358 people in Iran die from tobacco smoking-related diseases each year.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Iran

E-cigarettes are considered ‘means and instruments of tobacco consumption’ by the Executive guidelines of Clause A, Article 2 of the The Comprehensive Control and Control of National Tobacco Control Act. The sale, importation and manufacture of e-cigarettes are banned (effective 2008) as per the Ministry of Health note to the Ministry of Industry. The National Tobacco Control Act (2006) prohibits advertising and promotion of tobacco products including e-cigarettes. Vaping in public places is banned.

Heated Tobacco Products

in Iran

Importation, production and sale of heated tobacco products are banned in Iran.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Iran

In Iran you don't need a prescription to purchase NRT. Advertising NRT is allowed. You can buy NRT in Pharmacy.

Snus

in Iran

There is currently no information about using snus

Pouches

in Iran

There is currently no information about using pouches

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.