Profile
Zambia Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Zambia Background
Profile
Zambia Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Data sourced: 2023.   Page updated: 2025-06-19

According to the latest available data, as of 2018, traditional smokeless tobacco use in Zambia was relatively low, with 1.1% of adult females and 0.5% of adult males reporting current use. Traditional smokeless tobacco in Zambia is legal and it is regulated as a tobacco product. It is thus legal to sell and use, and online purchases of these products are permitted. However, packaging must include health warnings, and the minimum age for sales is set at 16 years. Notably, not all forms of advertising are banned.

Prevalence

References:
  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-zmb.pdf?sfvrsn=a9ddffed_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Comments:
  1. Adults survey: Demographic and Health Survey, 2018; National, ages 15-59 (men) 15-49 (women)

Product promotion

References:
  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-zmb.pdf?sfvrsn=a9ddffed_3&download=true. Accessed: 28 May 2025.

Regulation

References:
  1. 1. Kalubula M, Shen H, Khanam T. Assessment of carcinogenic and toxic substances in ‘Insunko’herb. Toxicology Reports. 2020 Jan 1;7:468-74. 2. 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-zmb.pdf?sfvrsn=a9ddffed_3&download=true. Accessed: 28 May 2025.
Comments:
  1. Insunko and Kaponda are two most popular and common smokeless tobaccos in Zambia.

Availability

References:
  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-zmb.pdf?sfvrsn=a9ddffed_3&download=true. Accessed: 28 May 2025.

Regulations and restrictions

References:
  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-zmb.pdf?sfvrsn=a9ddffed_3&download=true. Accessed: 28 May 2025.
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.