Profile
Lesotho Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Lesotho Background
Profile
Lesotho Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Data sourced: 2023.   Page updated: 2025-06-19

According to 2018 data, traditional smokeless tobacco use in Lesotho showed a notable gender difference. The adult current use prevalence was 7.5% among women and only 0.7% among men. Traditional smokeless tobacco is allowed in Lesotho and is regulated as a tobacco product. The use, sale, and online purchase of these products are legal. There are no requirements for health warnings on packaging, and no minimum age restriction has been set for the sale of smokeless tobacco, raising concerns about youth access and public health protections.

Prevalence

References:
  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-lso.pdf?sfvrsn=9dd88054_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Comments:
  1. Adults survey: Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), 2018; National, ages 15-49

Regulation

References:
  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-lso.pdf?sfvrsn=9dd88054_3&download=true. Accessed: 27 May 2025.

Availability

References:
  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-lso.pdf?sfvrsn=9dd88054_3&download=true. Accessed: 27 May 2025.

Regulations and restrictions

References:
  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-lso.pdf?sfvrsn=9dd88054_3&download=true. Accessed: 27 May 2025.
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.