Profile
Syria Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Syria Background
Profile
Syria Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Data sourced: 2024.   Page updated: 2025-12-11

Smoking is legally allowed in Syria but there are some restrictions for tobacco products. Under these regulations, the sale and use of tobacco products including cigarettes are legal, and importing cigarettes for trade is allowed with a license. Tobacco advertising is regulated, banning on all forms of advertising. Purchasing cigarettes online as well as through vending machines are allowed. The law requires health warnings on all tobacco packaging, sets a minimum legal age of 18 years for sales, and includes legal restrictions on smoking in public places.

The number of current smokers in Syria was estimated to be 3.1 million as of 2024. Data from 2021 show that the impact of tobacco smoking on public health in Syria was substantial. According to the data, there were a total of 13,133 deaths attributable to tobacco smoking, representing approximately 12.55% of all deaths in the country. This figure included 10,984 deaths among males, accounting for 17.37% of all male deaths, and 2,149 deaths among females, constituting 5.19% of all female deaths. These statistics underscore a significant gender disparity in tobacco-related mortality. In comparison, the total number of smoking-related deaths in 2016 was 9,447, which represents 8.7% of all deaths in the country in that year. This indicates an increase in both the absolute number and percentage of deaths attributable to tobacco smoking over the years. These data underscore the ongoing public health challenges posed by tobacco smoking in Syria and highlight the need for targeted interventions.

Prevalence

3.1 million
1
2024
2.9 million
2 A
Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier 24.7% 3A A
2003 24.7% 3B B
References:
  1. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2017, Country profiles http://www.who.int/tobacco/surveillance/policy/country_profile/en/
  2. National Survey on non-communicable diseases and factors affecting their development, 2002-03; National, ages 15-65. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile.
Comments:
  1. Age range varies from majority of WHO prevalence estimates. Data is drawn from the National survey on non-communicable diseases and factors affecting their development, 2002- 03. Age range 16 - 65.
  2. Prevalence of daily tobacco smoking from the latest survey.
Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier 8.9% 3A A
2003 8.9% 3B B
References:
  1. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2017, Country profiles http://www.who.int/tobacco/surveillance/policy/country_profile/en/
  2. National Survey on non-communicable diseases and factors affecting their development, 2002-03; National, ages 15-65. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile.
Comments:
  1. Age range varies from majority of WHO prevalence estimates. Data is drawn from the National survey on non-communicable diseases and factors affecting their development, 2002- 03. Age range 16 - 65.
  2. Prevalence of daily tobacco smoking from the latest survey.
Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier 48% 3A A
2003 48% 3B B
References:
  1. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2017, Country profiles http://www.who.int/tobacco/surveillance/policy/country_profile/en/
  2. National Survey on non-communicable diseases and factors affecting their development, 2002-03; National, ages 15-65. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile.
Comments:
  1. Age range varies from majority of WHO prevalence estimates. Data is drawn from the National survey on non-communicable diseases and factors affecting their development, 2002- 03. Age range 16 - 65.
  2. Prevalence of daily tobacco smoking from the latest survey.
References:
  1. 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
  2. 1. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2017, Country profiles http://www.who.int/tobacco/surveillance/policy/country_profile/en/ 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/
  3. National Survey on non-communicable diseases and factors affecting their development, 2002-03; National, ages 15-65. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile.
Comments:
  1. Age range varies from majority of WHO prevalence estimates. Data is drawn from the National survey on non-communicable diseases and factors affecting their development, 2002- 03. Age range 16 - 65. 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/
  2. Prevalence of daily tobacco smoking from the latest survey.

Smoking-related mortality

Year Value Reference/Comment
2016 9,447 1A
2021 13,133 1B A
References:
  1. The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
  2. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
  1. 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 2,418 1A
2021 2,149 1B A
References:
  1. The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
  2. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
  1. 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 7,029 1A
2021 10,984 1B A
References:
  1. The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
  2. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
  1. 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 8.7% 1A
2021 12.55% 1B A
References:
  1. The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
  2. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
  1. 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 5.8% 1A
2021 5.19% 1B A
References:
  1. The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
  2. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
  1. 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 9.7% 1A
2021 17.37% 1B A
References:
  1. The Tobacco Atlas. Available at: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/deaths/ Data source: GBD 2016 Risk Factors Collaborators.
  2. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
  1. 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.
References:
  1. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
Comments:
  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Product promotion

References:
  1. 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-syr.pdf?sfvrsn=eaeb3c1f_3&download=true. Accessed: 4 December 2025.

Regulation

References:
  1. 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-syr.pdf?sfvrsn=eaeb3c1f_3&download=true. Accessed: 4 December 2025.
Comments:
  1. There are certain restrictions in place.

Availability

References:
  1. 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-syr.pdf?sfvrsn=eaeb3c1f_3&download=true. Accessed: 4 December 2025.
Comments:
  1. There are certain restrictions in place.

Regulations and restrictions

References:
  1. 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-syr.pdf?sfvrsn=eaeb3c1f_3&download=true. Accessed: 4 December 2025.
Comments:
  1. Restrictions exist in places such as healthcare and educational facilities.
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.