Traditional smokeless tobacco is banned in Tanzania. It is regulated as a tobacco product, but its sale is illegal, and there is a comprehensive ban on all forms of tobacco advertising. Despite the ban, as of 2018, Tanzania had an estimated 2.0 million current users of traditional smokeless tobacco, accounting for 6.5% of the adult population. Its use among men was significantly higher, with 12.8% reporting current use, compared to just 0.7% of women. Its daily use was reported by 4.8% of adults overall, including 9.4% of men and 0.5% of women.
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-tza.pdf?sfvrsn=6e512893_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-tza.pdf?sfvrsn=6e512893_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
- Adults survey: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2018; National, ages 15+ 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: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2018; National, ages 15+
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-tza.pdf?sfvrsn=6e512893_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Regulation
- 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-tza.pdf?sfvrsn=6e512893_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Availability
- 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-tza.pdf?sfvrsn=6e512893_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.
