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25% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 1.2 million current smokers in Laos

45% of men are current smokers but only 5.2% of women

Quick links to detailed datasheets for Laos
Country profile
Data sourced: 2024.   Page updated: 2024-04-08

Smoking in Laos

There has been a downwards trend in current smoking prevalence in the general population in Laos. Smoking prevalence was 40% in 2000 and declined to 28% in 2015, with a further drop to 23% projected by 2025. For men the prevalence decreased from 64% in 2000 to 49% in 2015, with a further decrease to 42% projected by 2025. For women a prevalence of 17% in 2000 more than halved to 7% in 2015, and is projected to decrease further to around 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.

7,329

Deaths

7329 people in Laos die from tobacco smoking-related diseases each year.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Laos

Under the Agreement Governing Implementation of the Tobacco Control Act (2016), e-cigarettes are classified as electronic tobacco products and are banned wherever smoking is banned.

Heated Tobacco Products

in Laos

Heated tobacco products are not regulated.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Laos

You can't advertise NRT in Laos.

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.