In Lebanon, traditional smokeless tobacco is legally permitted and regulated as a tobacco product. In 2019, there were approximately 59,800 current users, with an adult prevalence rate of 1.2%. Use is significantly higher among men (2.2%) compared to women (0.1%). In the same year, daily use was 0.7% overall, with 1.2% of males using smokeless tobacco daily. The product can be legally used, sold, purchased online, and is actively marketed in the country. Advertising is allowed, but only at the point of sale. Health warnings on packaging are required, and the legal minimum age for purchase is 18 years. Notably, there is no excise tax on smokeless tobacco in Lebanon, meaning these products are not subject to tobacco taxation.
Prevalence
- 1. 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-lby.pdf?sfvrsn=14c505b1_3&download=true. 16 May 2025. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- 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-lby.pdf?sfvrsn=14c505b1_3&download=true. 16 May 2025.
- Adults survey: STEPS Survey, 2009; National, ages 25-64 World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- Adults survey: STEPS Survey, 2009; National, ages 25-64
Product promotion
- UNDP. Investment Case for Tobacco Control in LEBANON. Available at: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2024-05/the_investment_case_for_tobacco_control_in_lebanon_-_english_2.pdf. Accessed 22 May 2025.
Regulation
- Tobacco Control Laws. Lebanon Tobacco Control Policies. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/policy-fact-sheets/lebanon/summary. Accessed: 22 May 2025.
- UNDP. Investment Case for Tobacco Control in LEBANON. Available at: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2024-05/the_investment_case_for_tobacco_control_in_lebanon_-_english_2.pdf. Accessed 22 May 2025.
Availability
- Tobacco Control Laws. Lebanon Tobacco Control Policies. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/policy-fact-sheets/lebanon/summary. Accessed: 22 May 2025.
- 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-lbn.pdf?sfvrsn=9bc6607_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Regulations and restrictions
- 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-lbn.pdf?sfvrsn=9bc6607_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Tax
- UNDP. Investment Case for Tobacco Control in LEBANON. Available at: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2024-05/the_investment_case_for_tobacco_control_in_lebanon_-_english_2.pdf. Accessed 22 May 2025.
- Smokeless tobacco products are not taxed in Lebanon.
Publications
Tobacco Harm Reduction: A Burning Issue for Asia
Harry Shapiro
The focus of this GSTHR briefing is Asia. Sixty per cent of the world’s smokers live in this region and almost half the global deaths from smoking occur here. Asia is also home to nine in every ten users of smokeless tobacco (SLT), leading to high rates of oral cancer. In a number of countries, public health is severely undermined where governments either control or have a significant stake in domestic tobacco companies. New solutions are needed to tackle the public health threat from smoking and tobacco use - but safer nicotine products are banned in many countries. Would tobacco harm reduction improve public health in Asia? And if so - what are the obstacles that stand in its way?
The formal launch event for the briefing took place online on Sunday 18 April 2021 and was co-hosted with Association of Vapers India.
