Tobacco smoking in Laos

Smoking is legal in Laos under a specific regulatory framework. Based on this framework, cigarettes can be sold and the importation of cigarettes for trade is allowed with a license, but sales through online platforms and vending machines are banned. Moreover, health warnings are required on cigarette packaging, the minimum legal age for purchase is 18 years, and there are also legal restrictions on smoking in public places. Advertising of cigarettes is regulated, which imposes a ban on all forms of advertising. Cigarettes are subject to no specific excise value but a total taxation rate of 15.43% is enforced.

The prevalence of smoking among the adult population remains a significant public health concern in Laos. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 22.7% of adults aged 15 years and older in Laos were smokers as of 2024. This figure includes a striking gender disparity, with 41% of males and 4.5% of females reported as smokers. The total number of smokers in the country was approximately 1,2 million individuals. Compared to previous years, the smoking prevalence among males has seen a slight decline from 45% in 2020, and among females from 5.2% in the same year. For reference, the adult daily smoking prevalence in 2017 was 25.1%, with a prevalence of 6.2% among females and 44.7% among males.

The annual percentage of deaths attributable to smoking was 12.77% in Loas in 2021, with males disproportionately affected at 17.76% compared to 6.33% female deaths. This represents that the total number of smoking-related deaths was 6,503, including 5,100 males and 1,403 females. These figures underscore the ongoing impact of smoking on public health in Laos and highlight the necessity for continued regulatory and preventive measures.