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11.3% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 516,835 current smokers in Sierra Leone

18.5% of men are current smokers but only 4.2% of women

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

Smoking in Sierra Leone

There has been a downwards trend in current smoking prevalence in the general population in Sierra Leone. In 2000 the overall prevalence was estimated to be around 40%; this decreased to 24% by 2015, with a projection to decrease to 19% by 2025. Men's smoking decreased from 51% to 39% between 2000 and 2015, and is projected to decrease further to 33.5% by 2025 according to WHO trend data. Data on women's smoking during the same period has shown a significant decrease, from 29% in 2000 to 9% in 2015, and is projected to be around 4% 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.

3,157

Deaths

3157 people die every year due to tobacco smoking in Sierra Leone.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Sierra Leone

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

Heated Tobacco Products

in Sierra Leone

You can't advertise HTP in Sierra Leone.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Sierra Leone

You can't advertise NRT in Sierra Leone.

Snus

in Sierra Leone

Use of Snus is permitted by law in Sierra Leone.

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.