Data sourced:
2024.
Page updated:
2025-10-30
In Libya, tobacco smoking remains a significant public health concern. The total number of current smokers in the country was estimated to be 1.2 million as of 2024. This corresponds to the adult current prevalence of 23.3% overall, 45.8% among males and 0.2% among females. In 2021, tobacco smoking caused 4,776 deaths in the country, of which 4,016 were among males and 760 among females. These deaths accounted for 10.29% of all fatalities, with 14.67% of male deaths and 3.99% of female deaths attributed to smoking. Compared to 2016, this shows a noticeable increase in the total number of smoking-related deaths, which was 3,620, with male and female deaths accounting for 3,130 and 490, respectively. The percentage of all deaths attributable to tobacco smoking decreased from 18.12% in 2016 to 10.29% in 2021.
This data underscores the critical need for continued public health interventions and regulatory measures to mitigate the harmful impact of tobacco smoking on public health in Libya.
Prevalence
1.2 million
1
2024
23.3%
1
2024
0.2%
1
2024
45.8%
1
2024
Loading chart, please wait...
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 or earlier | 0.1% | 2A A |
| 2009 | 0.1% | 2B A |
References:
- WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2017, Country profiles http://www.who.int/tobacco/surveillance/policy/country_profile/en/
- STEPS Survey, 2009; National, ages 25-64. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile.
Comments:
- �Age range differs from WHO age standardised estimates. Source: Daily smoking. STEPS Survey, 2009; National, ages 25-64
- Prevalence of daily tobacco smoking from the latest survey.
Loading chart, please wait...
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 or earlier | 46.7% | 2A A |
| 2009 | 47.6% | 2B A |
References:
- WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2017, Country profiles http://www.who.int/tobacco/surveillance/policy/country_profile/en/
- STEPS Survey, 2009; National, ages 25-64. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile.
Comments:
- �Age range differs from WHO age standardised estimates. Source: Daily smoking. STEPS Survey, 2009; National, ages 25-64
- Prevalence of daily tobacco smoking from the latest survey.
References:
- WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
- STEPS Survey, 2009; National, ages 25-64. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile.
Comments:
- Prevalence of daily tobacco smoking from the latest survey.
Smoking-related mortality
Loading chart, please wait...
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,620 | 1A |
| 2021 | 4,776 | 1B A |
References:
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
- Number of tobacco-related deaths in the population in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
Loading chart, please wait...
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 490 | 1A |
| 2021 | 760 | 1B A |
References:
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
- Number of tobacco-related deaths in the population in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
Loading chart, please wait...
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,130 | 1A |
| 2021 | 4,016 | 1B A |
References:
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
- Number of tobacco-related deaths in the population in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
Loading chart, please wait...
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 18.12% | 1A |
| 2021 | 10.29% | 1B B |
References:
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
- Percentage of tobacco-related deaths to deaths from all causes in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
Loading chart, please wait...
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 4.2% | 1A |
| 2021 | 3.99% | 1B B |
References:
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
- Percentage of tobacco-related deaths to deaths from all causes in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
Loading chart, please wait...
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 20.3% | 1A |
| 2021 | 14.67% | 1B B |
References:
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
- Percentage of tobacco-related deaths to deaths from all causes in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
References:
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
- Number of tobacco-related deaths in the population in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
- Percentage of tobacco-related deaths to deaths from all causes in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
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.