Top Stories from Nepal
14.9% of the adult population are current smokers
There are approximately 3.4 million current smokers in Nepal
26.1% of men are current smokers but only 5.2% of women
Country profile
Data sourced:
2025.
Page updated:
2025-11-05
Smoking in Nepal
There has been a downwards trend in current smoking prevalence in the general population in Nepal. Smoking prevalence was 34% overall in 2000 and declined to 22% in 2015, with a further drop to 18% projected by 2025. For men the prevalence decreased from 41% in 2000 to 35.5% in 2015, with a further decrease to 33% projected by 2025. Women’s prevalence was 28% in 2000; this decreased to around 9% in 2015, and is projected to decrease further to around 4.5% 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.
28,110
Deaths
28,110 people die every year due to tobacco smoking in Nepal.
1.6%
e-cigarette vaping
Adult e-cigarette vaping prevalence is 1.6%.
Nicotine Vaping Devices
in Nepal
Nepal has stringent regulations regarding e-cigarette and vaping products, banning the sale and all forms of advertising of these items. However, the regulations do not specifically mention whether these products can be imported for personal use. If you have any first-hand experience or relevant information, please share it with the GSTHR team. The sale of E-cigarettes is banned.
Heated Tobacco Products
in Nepal
There are no specific regulations for Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) in Nepal. However, since they are classified and regulated as tobacco products, there are certain restrictions to consider. Tobacco products cannot be sold to minors (under the age of 18) and cannot be marketed or advertised in any form. Their use is prohibited in public places. In the capital city of Kathmandu, it is illegal to sell or use tobacco products.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
in Nepal
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is banned by law in Nepal and is neither regulated as a medicinal product nor included on the country's essential drugs list, making the sale of NRT products illegal. It is unclear whether these products can be imported for personal use, so if you do bring them from abroad, it is advisable to carry a prescription or proof of purchase with you. The sale of NRT is banned.
Snus
in Nepal
Snus is legally allowed in Nepal, including its sale and use. Use of Snus is permitted by law in Nepal.
Pouches
in Nepal
Available sources do not indicate any specific laws regarding nicotine pouches in Nepal, 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.