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
- 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.
- Adults survey: Demographic and Health Survey, 2018; National, ages 15-59 (men) 15-49 (women)
Product promotion
- 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
- 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.
- Insunko and Kaponda are two most popular and common smokeless tobaccos in Zambia.
Availability
- 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
- 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.
Publications
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.
