About

10.8% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 1.1 million current smokers in Zambia

20.2% of men are current smokers but only 1.8% of women

Quick links to detailed datasheets for Zambia
Country profile
Data sourced: 2022.   Page updated: 2023-10-10

Smoking in Zambia

There has been a downwards trend in current smoking prevalence in the general population in Zambia. Smoking prevalence was 15.5% overall in 2000 and declined to under 12% in 2015, with a further drop to around 11% projected by 2025. The prevalence for men has decreased from 27% in 2000 to 22% in 2015, with a further decrease to 20% projected by 2025. Women’s prevalence was lower at 5% in 2000, dropping slightly to 3% in 2015, and is projected to decrease to around 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.

7,947

Deaths

7947 people in Zambia die from tobacco smoking-related diseases each year.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Zambia

There is no specific law regarding e-cigarettes. If you have an update please e-mail the GSTHR team.

Heated Tobacco Products

in Zambia

You can't advertise HTP in Zambia.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Zambia

In Zambia you need a prescription to purchase NRT. NRT is legal to market. NRT is available in Pharmacy.

Snus

in Zambia

There is currently no information about using snus

Pouches

in Zambia

There is currently no information about using pouches

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.