9.2% of the adult population are current smokers
There are approximately 270,000 current smokers in Mauritania
17% of men are current smokers but only 2% of women
Country profile
Data sourced:
2025.
Page updated:
2026-08-10
Smoking in Mauritania
The prevalence of current smokers in the general population in Mauritania has been increasing. In 2000 the prevalence was estimated to be 16%; this increased to 26% by 2015, with a projection to increase to 36% by 2025. This increase in prevalence has been driven entirely by men's smoking, which increased from 26% to 47% between 2000 and 2015, and is projected to increase further to 68% by 2025 according to WHO trend data. By contrast, women's smoking during the same period decreased from 6% in 2000 to 4% in 2015, and is projected to reduce to 3% by 2025. The WHO published prevalence trend estimates in tobacco smoking, as shown here, in their 2015 report, which show slightly different smoking prevalence to the WHO country profiles. Data for the estimates were obtained from WHO databases. The trend lines are projections, not predictions, of future attainment. A projection indicates a likely endpoint if the country maintains its tobacco control efforts at the same level that it has implemented them to date. Therefore the impact of recent interventions could alter the expected endpoint shown in the projection.
832
Deaths
832 people in Mauritania die from tobacco smoking-related diseases each year.
0.4%
e-cigarette vaping
Adult e-cigarette vaping prevalence is 0.4%.
Nicotine Vaping Devices
in Mauritania
In Mauritania, several sources state that no specific laws exist for e-cigarettes and vaping. There are no available data on whether the sale, purchase, marketing, advertisement, or import of vaping products is permitted. However, available data show that people still vape in the country. The adult current vaping prevalence was 0.4% in 2021 which translates to an estimated 11,149 vapers. This prevalence was 0.1% among females and 0.7% among males in 2021.
If you have firsthand experience or insights on vaping regulations in Mauritania, please email the GSTHR team.
Heated Tobacco Products
in Mauritania
Mauritania does not have specific laws regarding Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs), including their sale, purchase, or importation for personal use. If you have any relevant and accurate information, please share it with the GSTHR team.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
in Mauritania
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is banned by law in Mauritania, and its products are not included on the country's essential drugs list. Hence, it is illegal to sell NRT products. There is no information on whether these products can be imported for personal use, so it is advised to keep the prescription or purchase documents with you.
Snus
in Mauritania
There are no online sources indicating specific regulations regarding snus in Mauritania. However, information obtained from an industry source in 2014 shows that snus is permitted in the country, including its sale and use. If you have any relevant or firsthand information, please share it with the GSTHR team.
Pouches
in Mauritania
Available sources do not indicate any specific laws regarding nicotine pouches in Mauritania, including their sale, purchase, use, or import for personal use. If you have any relevant or firsthand information, please share it with the GSTHR team.
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.