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7.4% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 343,776 current smokers in El Salvador

14.3% of men are current smokers but only 1.8% of women

Quick links to detailed datasheets for El Salvador
Country profile
Data sourced: 2024.   Page updated: 2024-04-08

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.

1,689

Deaths

1689 people die every year due to tobacco smoking in El Salvador.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in El Salvador

Use of electronic cigarettes in public places is prohibited wherever tobacco products and tobacco derivatives are banned, as per Decree No. 63 on Regulation of the Tobacco Control Law (2015).

Heated Tobacco Products

in El Salvador

You can't advertise HTP in El Salvador.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in El Salvador

In El Salvador you need a prescription to purchase NRT.

Snus

in El Salvador

Use of Snus is permitted by law in El Salvador.

Pouches

in El Salvador

Pouches are allowed.

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.