7.7% of the adult population are current smokers
There are approximately 361,000 current smokers in El Salvador
14.1% of men are current smokers but only 2.2% of women
Country profile
Data sourced:
2025.
Page updated:
2026-08-10
Smoking in El Salvador
Current smoking trends for the overall adult population in El Salvador show a decrease from 2000 (16%) to 2015 (10%), with a projection to decrease further to 8% by 2025. For women there has been a gradual, downwards year by year trend, from 4% in 2000 to 2.5% in 2015, and projected to be around 2% by 2025. For men the trend has been going in the same direction, downwards, with 29% being current smokers in 2000, 19% in 2015 and a projection of around 15% 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.
1,549
Deaths
1,549 annual deaths in El Salvador are associated with tobacco smoking.
1.2%
e-cigarette vaping
By 2022, E-cigarettes had been used by around 1.2% of individuals in El Salvador.
Nicotine Vaping Devices
in El Salvador
In El Salvador, e-cigarettes and vaping are legally allowed including their purchase through online channels. Restrictions exist on their use in public places, but no health warning is required on their packaging.
There were an estimated 56,787 current vapers in El Salvador in 2022, representing an adult current vaping prevalence of 1.2%. This prevalence was 0.1% among females and 2.5% among males in 2022. The number of daily vapers in El Salvador was estimated to be 28,394 in 2022, representing an adult daily vaping prevalence of 0.6%. The adult daily vaping prevalence was 0.1% among females and 1.3% among males in 2022.
Heated Tobacco Products
in El Salvador
Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) are allowed for sale and use in El Salvador. HTPs are available in general retail stores; however; sales through online channels are prohibitted. The law requires health warnings on HTP packaging and prohibits health benefit claims related to these products. There are no restrictions on their flavours.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
in El Salvador
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is allowed in El Salvador. The sale of its products require a prescription and they are available in pharmacies. They are not included on the country’s essential drugs list, but the government provides full financial support for NRT.
Snus
in El Salvador
Used in Scandinavia for more than 200 years, snus is providing smokers in Sweden and Norway with an alternative to combustible cigarettes. Find out what it is, and why it is considered a safer nicotine product in our briefing paper.
Pouches
in El Salvador
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.