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20.4% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 554,743 current smokers in Uruguay

24.1% of men are current smokers but only 17% of women

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

Smoking in Uruguay

There is a downwards trend in current smoking prevalence in the general population in Uruguay. Smoking prevalence was 50% overall in 2000 and declined to 17% in 2015, with a further drop to 8.5% projected by 2025. The prevalence for men was high, but has decreased significantly from 59% in 2000 to 21% in 2015, with a further decrease to 11% projected by 2025. Women’s prevalence was 43% in 2000, decreasing to 14% in 2015, and is projected to decrease to around 7% 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.

5,117

Deaths

5117 people in Uruguay die from tobacco smoking-related diseases each year.

0.2 million €

Market size of NRT.

Estimated NRT market size is 0.2 million €.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Uruguay

Sale, importation, registration as a brand/patent, and promotion of e-cigarettes are explicitly banned by decree No. 534/009 (2009) and amendment No. 299/017 (2017) in Uruguay. Possession and use are not specified in the legislation.

Heated Tobacco Products

in Uruguay

HTP is allowed. Advertising of HTP is allowed.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Uruguay

Estimated NRT market size is 0.2 million €. In Uruguay you don't need a prescription to purchase NRT. Advertising of NRT is allowed. NRT are available in Pharmacy.

Snus

in Uruguay

Snus is allowed. Use of Snus is permitted by law in Uruguay.

Pouches

in Uruguay

Pouches are allowed.

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.