Top Stories from Namibia
11.2% of the adult population are current smokers
There are approximately 181,242 current smokers in Namibia
19.2% of men are current smokers but only 4% of women
Country profile
Data sourced:
2023.
Page updated:
2025-04-09
Smoking in Namibia
The current smoking prevalence in the general population in Namibia is set to increase slightly by 2025. In 2000 the overall prevalence was estimated to be around 20%; this changed very little by 2015, with a projection to increase slightly to 21% by 2025. This increase in prevalence has been driven entirely by men's smoking, which increased from 28% to 32% between 2000 and 2015, and is projected to increase further to 36% by 2025 according to WHO trend data. By contrast, women's smoking during the same period decreased from 13% in 2000 to 9% in 2015, and is projected to reduce to around 7% by 2025. The WHO published prevalence trend estimates in tobacco smoking, as shown here, in their 2018 2nd edition report, which show slightly different smoking prevalence to the WHO country profiles. Data for the estimates are not age standardised, and 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. While the methods of estimation used in the first and second editions of the WHO report are the same, the volume of data available for the second edition is larger i.e. 200 more national surveys. The results presented are therefore more robust.
1,100
Deaths
1100 people die every year due to tobacco smoking in Namibia.
11.2%
tobacco smoking
Adult tobacco smoking prevalence is 11.2%.
Nicotine Vaping Devices
in Namibia
In Namibia, several sources suggest that no specific laws regulate e-cigarettes and vaping. There are no available data on whether the sale, purchase, marketing, advertisement, or import of vaping products is permitted, nor on any public use restrictions, age limitations, or rules regarding imports for personal use.
If you have firsthand experience or insights on vaping regulations in Namibia, please email the GSTHR team. In Namibia E-cigarettes are available without prescription.
Heated Tobacco Products
in Namibia
Namibia does not have specific laws regarding Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs), including their sale, purchase, and importation for personal use. If you have any relevant and accurate information, please share it with the GSTHR team.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
in Namibia
In Namibia you don't need a prescription to purchase NRT.
Snus
in Namibia
There are no online sources indicating specific regulations regarding Snus in Namibia. However, information obtained from an industry source in 2014 suggests 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 Namibia
Nicotine pouches are a relatively new product which can provide users of high-risk tobacco with an alternative that poses fewer risks to their health. Read more about nicotine pouches in our briefing paper
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.