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E-cigarette vaping in South Africa

Profile
South Africa Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
South Africa Background
Profile
South Africa Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Data sourced: 2025.   Page updated: 2025-11-05

In South Africa, as of 2021, there were approximately 920,000 vapers, with an adult e-cigarette vaping prevalence of 2.2%—0.7% among females and 3.8% among males. These figures suggest that e-cigarettes are available in the country, though it remains unclear how common they are.
E-cigarettes are allowed and regulated as medicinal products. They can be purchased with a prescription from pharmacies, but online purchases for personal use are not permitted. While nicotine sales are legal, health warnings on packaging are required, and there are minimum age restrictions of 18 years. Additionally, vaping is restricted in public places.
It is, however, unclear whether travelers are allowed to bring e-cigarettes for personal use. If you have firsthand experience regarding this, please email the GSTHR team.

Prevalence

Year Value Reference/Comment
2021 920,104 1A
2021 920,104 1B
2024 962,676 1A
References:
  1. 1. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2021 cited in 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. 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/
  2. 1. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2021; National, ages 15+. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile. 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/
Year Value Reference/Comment
2021 2.2% 2A
2021 2.2% 2B
References:
  1. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2021 cited in 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. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2021; National, ages 15+. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile.
Year Value Reference/Comment
2021 0.7% 2A
2021 0.7% 2B
References:
  1. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2021 cited in 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. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2021; National, ages 15+. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile.
Year Value Reference/Comment
2021 3.8% 2A
2021 3.8% 2B
References:
  1. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2021 cited in 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. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2021; National, ages 15+. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile.
References:
  1. 1. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2021 cited in 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. 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/
  2. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2021; National, ages 15+. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile.

Product promotion

Comments:
  1. Banned at place of sale and banned in all media.
  2. Allowed or banned at place of sale or allowed or banned in all media.

Regulation

Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier Allowed 1A
2025 Allowed 1B
References:
  1. Data cross-referenced where possible using the following sources :1. Vapetrotter website. Available at: https://www.vapetrotter.com/laws/ ; 2. Global tobacco control website. Available at:https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/node/14052 ; 3. Tobacco Control Laws website. Available at : https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/
  2. Global Tobacco Control. January, 2025. https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/e-cigarettes; Anti smoking global. January, 2025. https://antismoking.global/world-map; Tobacco control laws. January, 2025. https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation
Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier Yes 1A
2025 Yes 1B
References:
  1. Data cross-referenced where possible using the following sources :1. Vapetrotter website. Available at: https://www.vapetrotter.com/laws/ ; 2. Global tobacco control website. Available at:https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/node/14052 ; 3. Tobacco Control Laws website. Available at : https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/
  2. Global Tobacco Control. January, 2025. https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/e-cigarettes; Anti smoking global. January, 2025. https://antismoking.global/world-map; Tobacco control laws. January, 2025. https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation
References:
  1. Global Tobacco Control. January, 2025. https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/e-cigarettes; Anti smoking global. January, 2025. https://antismoking.global/world-map; Tobacco control laws. January, 2025. https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation

Availability

Regulations and restrictions

Publications

Sep
2022

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.

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.