In 2013, traditional smokeless tobacco usage in Seychelles was very low, with an estimated 215 adult users, corresponding to about 0.3% of the adult population. Prevalence by gender was similarly low: 0.4% among women and 0.3% among men, while daily use was 0.2% overall, with 0.3% of women and 0.2% of men using smokeless tobacco every day. From a regulatory perspective, traditional smokeless tobacco is allowed in Seychelles and is regulated as a tobacco product. Its sale and use are legal. However, packaging must carry health warnings, in line with national standards. Also, there is a minimum sales age of 18, ensuring age-based access control. The country also enforces a ban on all forms of advertising of smokeless tobacco products.
Prevalence
- 1. 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-syc.pdf?sfvrsn=cd6fa311_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- 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-syc.pdf?sfvrsn=cd6fa311_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
- Adults survey: The Seychelles Heart Study IV, 2013; National, ages 25-64 World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- Adults survey: The Seychelles Heart Study IV, 2013; National, ages 25-64
Product promotion
- 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-syc.pdf?sfvrsn=cd6fa311_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Regulation
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Seychelles. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/seychelles/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 27 May 2025.
- 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-syc.pdf?sfvrsn=cd6fa311_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Availability
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Seychelles. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/seychelles/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 27 May 2025.
- 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-syc.pdf?sfvrsn=cd6fa311_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Regulations and restrictions
- 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-syc.pdf?sfvrsn=cd6fa311_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Publications
Tobacco harm reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa
With the number of tobacco users across the continent set to rise by 2025, we look at the current state of tobacco harm reduction in the region, assessing the progress made so far and the obstacles preventing greater adoption of safer nicotine products.
