25.1% of the adult population are current smokers
There are approximately 93,700 current smokers in Malta
Smoking in Malta
The prevalence of current smokers in the general population in Malta has fluctuated but the trend has been slightly downwards since 2006. 24% of the population in Malta were current smokers in 2017, slightly down from 25% in 2006. The trend was upwards between 2006 and 2012 (27%); it then reduced to 20% in 2014 and then went up again to 24% in the most recent survey in 2017. These data come from the Eurobarometer surveys, the most recent of which was carried out in 2017. In the most recent survey a total of 27,901 respondents from different social and demographic groups were interviewed face-to-face at home, in their mother tongue, across all 28 of the EU countries. The sample for each country is representative, however the sample sizes are relatively small (e.g. most countries had just over 1000 participants, but for Italy, Malta and Lithuania the sample was around 500). Nevertheless, the Eurobarometer surveys are useful as they have estimates for smoking prevalence collected over a number of years which can show trends, as described here.
Deaths
434 people in Malta die from tobacco smoking-related diseases each year.
e-cigarette vaping
Adult e-cigarette vaping prevalence is at 0.8%.
Heated Tobacco Products
in Malta
Heated tobacco products are classified by manufacturers as smokeless tobacco products, and they are therefore subject to Legal Notice 67 in Malta which bans the import, manufacture, or sale of any smokeless tobacco product.
Nicotine Vaping Devices
in Malta
Malta abides by the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) (2014). The manufacture, presentation and sale of e-cigarettes are regulated by the Subsidiary Legislation 315.10, Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products Regulations, enacted under the Tobacco (Smoking Control) Act (CAP 315 of Laws of Malta). Use of e-cigarettes is prohibited in places where smoking is banned, and in private vehicles where a minor (under 16 years) is present. However there has been a case where a fine for vaping in a public place has been overturned, as the ban only refers to smoking specifically. Malta has a total ban on e-cigarette advertising, but cross-border sales are legal. There is no excise tax on e-liquids.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
in Malta
In Malta you don't need a prescription to purchase NRT. NRT is legal to market. You can buy NRT in Pharmacy.