About

24.5% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 821,313 current smokers in Moldova

45.6% of men are current smokers but only 5.6% of women

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

Smoking in Moldova

There has been an upwards trend in current smoking prevalence in the general population in Moldova. In 2000 the prevalence was estimated to be 23%; this increased to 24% by 2015, with a projection to increase to 24.5% by 2025. This increase in prevalence has been driven mainly by men's smoking, which increased from 44% to 45% between 2000 and 2015, and is projected to increase further to 46% by 2025 according to WHO trend data. Women's smoking during the same period increased very slightly from 5.2% in 2000 to 5.5% in 2015, and is projected to reduce to 5.4% 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 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.

5,524

Deaths

5524 people die every year due to tobacco smoking in Moldova.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Moldova

E-cigarettes are legal to use and sell in Moldova. Nicotine-containing e-cigarettes are regulated by Law No. 278 on Tobacco Control (with amendments). Although Moldova is not in the EU, these regulations are similar in many ways to the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) (2014). Cross border distance sales, sales over the internet, and sales through street vendors are prohibited. There are restrictions on the proximity of retail outlets to education and medical establishments. A provision that prohibits the display of tobacco related products, including e-cigarettes, in commercial spaces, and which requires retailers to show a list of products for sale, is set to come into effect in May 2020. Vaping is prohibited in places where smoking is banned, including in private transport where minors under 18 years are present.

Heated Tobacco Products

in Moldova

Heated tobacco products are regulated as novel tobacco products under the Law on Tobacco Products, but are exempted from the tobacco legal provisions on presentation and promotion.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Moldova

You can't advertise NRT in Moldova.

Snus

in Moldova

There is currently no information about using snus

Pouches

in Moldova

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.