About

9.9% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 747,687 current smokers in Rwanda

15.4% of men are current smokers but only 4.7% of women

Quick links to detailed datasheets for Rwanda
Country profile
Data sourced: 2022.   Page updated: 2023-10-10

Smoking in Rwanda

Current smoking trends for the overall adult population in Rwanda show a decrease from 2000 (15%) to 2015 (10%), with a projection to decrease further to 9% by 2025. For women there has been a downwards year by year trend in smoking prevalence, starting and remaining very low, from 6.5% in 2000 to 4% in 2015, and projected to be around 3.5% by 2025. For men the trend has gone in the same direction, downwards, with 25% being current smokers in 2000, 18% in 2015 and a projection of around 16% 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.

2,149

Deaths

In Rwanda, 2149 people die each year due to tobacco smoking.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Rwanda

There is no specific law regarding e-cigarettes. If you have an update please e-mail the GSTHR team.

Heated Tobacco Products

in Rwanda

You can't advertise HTP in Rwanda.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Rwanda

You can't advertise NRT in Rwanda.

Snus

in Rwanda

There is currently no information about using snus.

Pouches

in Rwanda

There is currently no information about using pouches.

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.