According to 2016 data, traditional smokeless tobacco use in Myanmar shows a significant gender difference, with 31.7% of adult males and 1.7% of adult females reported to be current users. Traditional smokeless tobacco in Myanmar is legal. It is thus legal to sell and use, and online purchases are also permitted. However, health warnings on packaging are required and advertising is banned on national and international TV and radio, as well as in local and international magazines and newspapers; however, advertising at points of sale is not banned. The minimum age for sales is 18 years.
Prevalence
- 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-mmr.pdf?sfvrsn=305cd9d1_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
- Adults survey: Demographic and Health Survey, 2015-16; National, ages 15-49
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-mmr.pdf?sfvrsn=305cd9d1_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
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.
