17.4% of the adult population are current smokers
There are approximately 442,000 current smokers in Qatar
21.9% of men are current smokers but only 3.7% of women
Country profile
Data sourced:
2025.
Page updated:
2025-10-30
Smoking in Qatar
Current smoking trends for the overall adult population in Qatar show an increase from 17% in 2000 to 22% in 2015, with a projection to increase further to around 24% by 2025. For women, the trend has been gradually downwards year by year, from a low start of 2% in 2000 to 1% in 2015, with a further projected drop to around 0.6% by 2025. For men the trend has been upwards, with 24% being current smokers in 2000, 28% in 2015 and a projection of a further increase to 32% 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 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. See also "A short guide for travellers to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022" in the news section of the website.
401
Deaths
In Qatar, 401 people die each year due to tobacco smoking.
0.4 million €
Market size of NRT.
NRT market size is estimated to be 0.4 million €.
Nicotine Vaping Devices
in Qatar
E-cigarettes are banned in Qatar. It is illegal to manufacture, sell, distribute, use, display, or import vaping devices and nicotine for trade. Purchasing e-cigarettes without a prescription is also not allowed. However, some online sources claim that online purchases may be possible. Additionally, bringing vapes for personal use is prohibited, so travelers should avoid carrying them to Qatar to prevent any legal issues.
Regarding vaping prevalence, the latest available data from 2013 indicate that there were approximately 4,400 current vapers in the country. The adult vaping prevalence was 0.2%, with a prevalence of 1.6% among females and 0.9% among males. Despite the strict regulations in place today, these figures reflect the early presence of vaping in Qatar before the ban that was implemented in 2014.
Heated Tobacco Products
in Qatar
Qatar has strict regulations for Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs), imposing a regulatory ban on them. HTPs are classified as tobacco products, and according to these laws, the importation of HTPs for both trade and personal use, as well as their sale, purchase, marketing, and advertising in any form, are all prohibited. These bans may deprive smokers of access to potentially safer forms of nicotine, putting them at greater risk of smoking-related morbidities. HTP is not allowed in Qatar.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
in Qatar
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is allowed by law in Qatar, and its products are regulated as medicinal products. As a result, it is legal to sell NRT products; however, a prescription is required for purchase. NRT products are available in pharmacies throughout the country. The government supports NRT, as it is included on Qatar’s essential drugs list. Therefore, the cost of NRT is fully covered by the government. NRT is legal to market.
Snus
in Qatar
Qatar has updated its regulatory stance on snus, changing it from no specific regulations to banned. Thus, the sale and use of snus are now prohibited by law under current regulations. However, available sources do not state whether the importation of snus for personal use is permitted. If you have any relevant information, please share it with the GSTHR team. Snus is not allowed in Qatar.
Pouches
in Qatar
Nicotine pouches are banned by law in Qatar. However, available sources do not specify whether these products can be imported for personal use. If you have 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.