Data sourced:
2024.
Page updated:
2025-12-11
Libya has certain regulatory measures for tobacco products. Based on these regulations, cigarette sales, purchase, and import are allowed with some restrictions. All forms of advertising and promotion of cigarettes are banned. Purchase of cigarettes online is allowed but not through vending machines. The minimum age for tobacco sales is 18 years, and there are restrictions for smoking in public places. Additionally, health warnings on packaging are required and the total taxation rate on cigarettes is 32.00% with no specific excise component.
Tobacco smoking remains a daunting public health concern in Libya. 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 smoking prevalence of 23.3% overall, 45.8% among males and 0.2% among females. In 2021, tobacco smoking led to 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, and 14.67% of male deaths and 3.99% of female deaths were attributable to smoking. Compared to 2016, this shows a noticeable increase in the total number of smoking-related deaths, which was 3,620, with males and females undergoing 3,130 and 490 deaths, respectively. The percentage of all deaths attributable to tobacco smoking in the country decreased from 18.12% in 2016 to 10.29% in 2021. These data underscore 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
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 or earlier | 0.1% | 2A A |
| 2009 | 0.1% | 2B B |
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.
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 or earlier | 46.7% | 2A A |
| 2009 | 47.6% | 2B B |
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
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 18.12% | 1A |
| 2021 | 10.29% | 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:
- 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.
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 4.2% | 1A |
| 2021 | 3.99% | 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:
- 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.
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| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 20.3% | 1A |
| 2021 | 14.67% | 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:
- 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.
Product promotion
References:
- WHO. 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. Accessed: 4 December 2025.
Regulation
References:
- WHO. 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. Accessed: 4 December 2025.
Comments:
- There are certain restrictions in place.
Availability
Yes
1
A
2023
Yes
1
2023
Yes
1
A
2023
No
1
2023
Yes
1
A
2023
References:
- WHO. 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. Accessed: 4 December 2025.
Comments:
- There are certain restrictions in place.
Regulations and restrictions
YES
1
2023
Yes: 18 years
1
2023
YES
1
A
2023
References:
- WHO. 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. Accessed: 4 December 2025.
Comments:
- Restrictions exist in places such as healthcare and educational facilities.
Tax
References:
- WHO. 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. Accessed: 4 December 2025.
Comments:
- Total taxation rate: 32.00%
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We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product
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