In Somalia, tobacco smoking is legally allowed, with some specific set of regulatory frameworks. Within these frameworks, the sale and use of cigarettes are permitted, and consumers can purchase these products through online platforms or vending machines. Notably, the authorities do not require health warnings on cigarette packaging, nor do they enforce a minimum age for purchase or sale. Additionally, there are no legal restrictions for smoking in public places.
There are no data available on the prevalence of smoking in Somalia. However, the number of current smokers was estimated to be 519,000 individuals as of 2024. In 2021, the country reported smoking-related mortality of 4,998 individuals. Of these deaths, 3,905 were male deaths, and 1,093 were females deaths. Tobacco smoking-related mortalities accounted for 2.1% of all deaths in the country, with 2.93% deaths among males and 1.05% deaths among females. This represents a decrease from 2016, when the total number of smoking-related deaths was 3,868, and the percentage of all deaths attributable to tobacco smoking was 4.53%. Specifically, mortality rate due to tobacco smoking was 5.5% among males in 2016, and this rate was 2.2% among females. These statistics underline the ongoing impact of tobacco smoking on public health in Somalia, despite a decrease in mortality rates over the five-year period.
Prevalence
- WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
Smoking-related mortality
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,868 | 1A |
| 2021 | 4,998 | 1B A |
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
- Number of tobacco-related deaths in the population in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,132 | 1A |
| 2021 | 1,093 | 1B A |
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
- Number of tobacco-related deaths in the population in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2,736 | 1A |
| 2021 | 3,905 | 1B A |
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
- Number of tobacco-related deaths in the population in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 4.53% | 1A |
| 2021 | 2.1% | 1B A |
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
- Percentage of tobacco-related deaths to deaths from all causes in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2.2% | 1A |
| 2021 | 1.05% | 1B A |
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
- Percentage of tobacco-related deaths to deaths from all causes in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5.5% | 1A |
| 2021 | 2.93% | 1B A |
- The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
- Percentage of tobacco-related deaths to deaths from all causes in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
- Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
- Number of tobacco-related deaths in the population in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
- Percentage of tobacco-related deaths to deaths from all causes in 2021 by gender for all age groups. Tobacco-related mortality includes smoking tobacco use, smokeless tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
Regulation
- WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-som.pdf?sfvrsn=41e141c8_3&download=true. Accessed: 5 December 2025.
- There are certain restrictions in place.
Availability
- WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-som.pdf?sfvrsn=41e141c8_3&download=true. Accessed: 5 December 2025.
- There are certain restrictions in place.
Regulations and restrictions
- WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-som.pdf?sfvrsn=41e141c8_3&download=true. Accessed: 5 December 2025.