Top Stories from Uganda
4.1% of the adult population are current smokers
There are approximately 1.0 million current smokers in Uganda
7.1% of men are current smokers but only 1.1% of women
Country profile
Data sourced:
2025.
Page updated:
2025-06-19
Smoking in Uganda
There has been a downwards trend in current smoking prevalence in the general population in Uganda. Smoking prevalence was 15% overall in 2000 and declined to 9% in 2015, with a further drop to around 7% projected by 2025. The prevalence for men has driven this downwards trend. Men’s prevalence decreased from 25.5% in 2000 to 15% in 2015, with a further decrease to 11% projected by 2025. For women prevalence was 4% in 2000, decreasing to 3% in 2015, and is projected to decrease to 2% by 2025. The WHO published prevalence trend estimates in tobacco smoking, as shown here, in their 2018 2nd edition report, which show slightly different smoking prevalence to the WHO country profiles. Data for the estimates are not age standardised, and were obtained from WHO databases. The trend lines are projections, not predictions, of future attainment. A projection indicates a likely endpoint if the country maintains its tobacco control efforts at the same level that it has implemented them to date. Therefore the impact of recent interventions could alter the expected endpoint shown in the projection. While the methods of estimation used in the first and second editions of the WHO report are the same, the volume of data available for the second edition is larger i.e. 200 more national surveys. The results presented are therefore more robust.
5,284
Deaths
5284 people in Uganda die from tobacco smoking-related diseases each year.
1.7%
e-cigarette vaping
Adult e-cigarette vaping prevalence is 1.7%.
Nicotine Vaping Devices
in Uganda
In Uganda, the prevalence of adult e-cigarette vaping is 1.7%. E-cigarettes are banned in the country and they are regulated as tobacco products. Hence, the sale of both e-cigarette devices and nicotine is banned. The importation of e-cigarette devices and nicotine for trade is also prohibited.
Heated Tobacco Products
in Uganda
Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) are regulated as tobacco products and are banned by law in Uganda. In Uganda you can't legally purchase using HTP devices.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
in Uganda
In Uganda, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is allowed, and it is legal to use, sell, and purchase NRT products without a prescription. Although these products are not regulated as medicinal products, they are available in pharmacies. However, the government does not provide financial support to cover the cost of NRT as it is not included on the country's essential drugs list. In Uganda it is legal to purchase nicotine without using NRT prescription.
Snus
in Uganda
There are no online sources indicating specific regulations regarding snus in Uganda, including its import, sale, purchase, and use. If you have any relevant or firsthand information, please share it with the GSTHR team.
Pouches
in Uganda
Nicotine pouches are prohibited by law in Uganda. Available sources do not provide information on whether they can be imported for personal use. If you have relevant information regarding this, please share it with the GSTHR team.
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.