In 2020, Malawi had approximately 146,100 current users of traditional smokeless tobacco. The adult current use prevalence was 1.4% overall, with 2.1% of women and 0.7% of men using these products. The daily use prevalence was lower, at 0.8% overall, with 1.2% of women and 0.2% of men using smokeless tobacco daily. These figures indicate that women in Malawi are more likely than men to use traditional smokeless tobacco, both occasionally and regularly. From a regulatory perspective, traditional smokeless tobacco is allowed and regulated as a tobacco product in the country. Hence, the use, sale, and online purchase of these products are legal. Health warnings on packaging are not required, and there is no ban on advertising. Additionally, no minimum age restrictions exist for the sale of smokeless tobacco, which may raise concerns about youth access.
Prevalence
- 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-mwi.pdf?sfvrsn=a64d9ec_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- 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-mwi.pdf?sfvrsn=a64d9ec_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
- Adults survey: Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), 2019-20; National, ages 15-49 World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- Adults survey: Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), 2019-20; National, ages 15-49
Product promotion
- 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-mwi.pdf?sfvrsn=a64d9ec_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Regulation
- 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-mwi.pdf?sfvrsn=a64d9ec_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Availability
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-mwi.pdf?sfvrsn=a64d9ec_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.