About

11.9% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 32,195 current smokers in Iceland

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

Smoking in Iceland

The overall smoking prevalence in Iceland has decreased since 2000. 13.8% of the adult population in Iceland are current smokers, down from 30% in 2000. This means there are now approximately 37,251 smokers in the country. 13.9% of men smoke (down from 33% in 2000) and for women the figure is 13.7% (down from 27% in 2000).

The most recent data show there were 365 annual deaths attributable to tobacco smoking (190 women and 175 men). The annual percentage of all deaths attributable to tobacco smoking was 16.35% (women: 17.4%; and men: 15.2%).

Nicotine vapes (e-cigarettes) are legal in Iceland and the current adult vaping prevalence of 4%. Vapes are regulated as both consumer and medicinal products in Iceland.

Heated tobacco products cannot be marketed, and while Swedish snus is banned, Icelanders import a slightly different cut of what is officially known as nasal tobacco.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can be marketed and it is available to buy in many general shops without a prescription.

For further information and full references, click through to the detailed datasheets above.

365

Deaths

365 people die every year due to tobacco smoking in Iceland.

4%

e-cigarette vaping

The prevalence of current e-cigarette vaping among adults is 4%.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Iceland

The Icelandic government is the first government to vote in a law specific to electronic cigarettes with no ties to tobacco regulation. The law came into force on February 1st 2019, after a long legal battle with lobby groups. Since 2014, with no legislation in place, tobacco consumption fell by 40% in Iceland, whilst there was a growth in the snus and e-cigarette market. For under 18's, the smoking rate is under 2%. In 18-24-year-olds, there are twice as many vapers as there are smokers. The new law allows the advertising of vaping products, and there will be no volume limitation on e-liquids, although nicotine content will be limited to 2%. There will be a tax of 0.9% applied to vaping products which will go towards anti-smoking initiatives.

Heated Tobacco Products

in Iceland

Heated tobacco products are not regulated in Iceland.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Iceland

In Iceland is legal to purchase nicotine without prescription to using NRT. Advertising NRT is allowed. NRT is available in many general shops without a prescription.

Snus

in Iceland

The sale of Snus is banned. Use of Snus is permitted by law in Iceland.

Pouches

in Iceland

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.