According to the latest available data, in 2016, the prevalence of traditional smokeless tobacco use in East Timor showed a significant gender difference. Among adults, 20.9% of males reported to be current users, while the use prevalence of these products among females was 0.2%. Traditional smokeless tobacco is legal in East Timor and is regulated as a tobacco product. It is legal to sell and use these products, though online purchases are not permitted. Moreover, health warnings on packaging are required, and the minimum age for sales is 17 years.
Prevalence
- 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-tls.pdf?sfvrsn=4b441ca4_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
- Adults survey: Demographic and Health Survey, 2016; National, ages 15-49
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-tls.pdf?sfvrsn=4b441ca4_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Regulation
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Timor-Leste. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/timor-leste/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 28 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-tls.pdf?sfvrsn=4b441ca4_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Availability
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Timor-Leste. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/timor-leste/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 28 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-tls.pdf?sfvrsn=4b441ca4_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-tls.pdf?sfvrsn=4b441ca4_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Publications
Tobacco Harm Reduction: A Burning Issue for Asia
Harry Shapiro
The focus of this GSTHR briefing is Asia. Sixty per cent of the world’s smokers live in this region and almost half the global deaths from smoking occur here. Asia is also home to nine in every ten users of smokeless tobacco (SLT), leading to high rates of oral cancer. In a number of countries, public health is severely undermined where governments either control or have a significant stake in domestic tobacco companies. New solutions are needed to tackle the public health threat from smoking and tobacco use - but safer nicotine products are banned in many countries. Would tobacco harm reduction improve public health in Asia? And if so - what are the obstacles that stand in its way?
The formal launch event for the briefing took place online on Sunday 18 April 2021 and was co-hosted with Association of Vapers India.
