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Smoking, vaping, HTP, NRT and snus in Zambia

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  3. Smoking, vaping, HTP, NRT and snus in Zambia
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Profile
Zambia Flag
Cigarettes
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
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Profile
Zambia Flag
Cigarettes
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT

10.7% 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 1.6% of women

Country profile
Data sourced: 2025.   Page updated: 2025-05-28

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.

3,814

Deaths

3814 people in Zambia die from tobacco smoking-related diseases each year.

10.7%

tobacco smoking

Adult tobacco smoking prevalence is 10.7%.

Details & datasheet on smoking in Zambia

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Zambia

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

Details & datasheet on vaping in Zambia

Heated Tobacco Products

in Zambia

Zambia does not have specific laws regarding Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs), including their sale, purchase, or importation for personal use. If you have any relevant and accurate information, please share it with the GSTHR team. You can't advertise HTP in Zambia.

Details & datasheet on HTP in Zambia

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Zambia

In Zambia, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is allowed, and it is legal to use, sell, and purchase NRT products from pharmacies with a prescription. Although NRT is not included on the country's essential drugs list and is not regulated as a medicinal product, the government provides partial financial support to help cover its cost. Advertising of NRT is allowed.

Details & datasheet on NRT in Zambia

Snus

in Zambia

Available online sources do not provide information on specific regulations concerning snus in Zambia, including its import, sale, purchase, and use. If you have any relevant or firsthand information, please share it with the GSTHR team.

Details & datasheet on snus in Zambia

Pouches

in Zambia

Available sources do not indicate any specific laws regarding nicotine pouches in Zambia, including their sale, purchase, use, or import for personal use. If you have any relevant or firsthand information, please share it with the GSTHR team.

Details & datasheet on pouches in Zambia
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.
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