Prevalence of Tobacco Use in Zambia

Overall tobacco smoking prevalence is estimated at 9.7% with 11.0% and 8.2% for rural and urban areas respectively. Approximately 1 in every 10 (11.6%) people aged between 25 and 39 years in Zambia smoke cigarettes.

Cigarette smoking is most prevalent in the Eastern (13.07%) and Luapula (12.47%) provinces, and lowest in Western (9.38%) and Muchinga (9.58%) provinces.

Tobacco control data in Zambia is scarce and incomprehensive with minimal disaggregation, similar to other African countries.

This page provides insights into the prevalence of tobacco use by different sub-groups in the country. The main data source is the Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2018

and the Zambia Global Youth Tobacco Smoking Survey 2011. Other data sources include International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC) Wave 1 (2012) and Wave 2 (2015) studies.

Tobacco smoking prevalence is higher among males at 18.5% compared to females at 0.9%. The prevalence of tobacco use among men declined from 26.4% in 2001 to 18.5% in 2018. On the contrary, tobacco use among women increased from 0.5% in 2001 to 0.9% in 2018.  Tobacco smoking prevalence among men has been declining from 26.4% in 2001,

23.8% in 2007, and 18.5% in 2018.

The graph shows tobacco prevalence by gender between 2001 and 2018.


Tobacco use prevalence by gender 2001-2018


DHS 2001DHS 2007DHS 20180%5%10%15%20%25%30%Prevalence rate0.5%0.7%0.9%26.4%23.8%18.5%

Source: Zambia DHS 2001, 2007 and 2018


Forms of tobacco consumed by gender


Among all current tobacco users, cigarettes are the most prevalent form of tobacco use at 96% and 20% of male and female tobacco consumers respectively. Smokeless tobacco use is most common among females at 79% compared to 4% among males.

The chart shows the forms of tobacco consumed among males and females in Zambia.


Forms of tobacco consumed by gender


TotalMaleFemale0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%Prevalence rate1.0%18.4%4.0%79.0%81.4%96.0%20.0%

Source: MOH, 2018


The Zambia DHS 2018 estimates on the prevalence of tobacco use among adults was lowest among persons aged between 20 and 24 years at 6.9%. The prevalence was higher among persons aged between 25 years and 39 years at 11.6%.  Tobacco smoking was most common among older persons with a 17.4% prevalence among those aged 45-49 years.

The graph shows tobacco prevalence by age.


Tobacco use prevalence by age group in 2018


20-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445-49Age Group0%2%4%6%8%10%12%14%16%18%Prevalence rate6.9%11.6%11.2%11.6%14.2%17.4%

Source: MOH, 2018


Tobacco use among youth


The Zambia Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2021 estimates tobacco use prevalence among youths (13 to 15 years) at 12.9%; 11.8% for girls, and 14.0% for boys. Prevalence among those that have ever used tobacco is significantly higher at 29.1%; 29.1% among girls, and 28.8% for boys.

The 2021 GYTS estimated tobacco smoking prevalence among youth (13 to 15 years) who currently smoke tobacco at 9.0%; 10.0% for boys and 8.0% for girls. This is higher than the overall prevalence estimated by the 2011 GYTS which stood at 6.2%. Prevalence of tobacco smoking among girls went up significantly from 5.7% to 8.0% while prevalence among boys reduced from 14.0% to 10.0%.

The two graphs show tobacco use prevalence levels among youth current users and ever users respectively.


Prevalence among tobacco users age 13 to 15 in 2021


Current users

Tobacco usersTobacco smokersCigarette smokersSmokeless usersType of tobacco users0%2%4%6%8%10%12%14%Prevalence rate13%9%6%6%14%10%7%6%12%8%4%6%

Ever users

Tobacco usersTobacco smokersCigarette smokersSmokeless usersType of tobacco users0%5%10%15%20%25%30%Prevalence rate29%23%17%16%29%23%18%14%29%23%17%16%

Source: Zambia Global Youth Tobacco Survey, 2021


Tobacco consumption of factory-manufactured vs hand-rolled cigarettes


The consumption of factory-manufactured cigarettes increased from 49% for Wave 1 (2012) to 59% for Wave 2 among current smokers. The use of hand-rolled cigarettes was reduced by 10% during the same period. Further, the prevalence of use for both hand-rolled and factory-manufactured cigarettes reduced from 3% in Wave I (2012) to 1% in Wave 2 (2014).

The chart below shows the prevalence of consumption of factory-manufactured vs. hand-rolled cigarettes.


Factory vs hand-rolled cigarettes


Wave 1Wave 20%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%55%60%Consumption rate49.0%59.0%48.0%39.0%3.0%1.0%

Source: ITC Wave I and Wave II surveys


Prevalence of consumption of other tobacco products among current smokers


Among current tobacco users, Shisha and menthol were the most commonly consumed alternative tobacco products at 68.3% and 48.0% respectively. The overall prevalence rate for smokeless tobacco consumption is 0.6% with 0.3% and 0.6% for males and females respectively.

The graph below shows the prevalence of other tobacco products among existing tobacco users.


Prevalence of other tobacco products among existing tobacco users


0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%Prevalence rateWaterpipe (Shisha)Menthol tobaccoBidis (cigarette wrapped in leaves)E-cigaretteDry snuff (Nsunko)Chewing tobaccoVaporizersCigarsOral productsHeated tobacco productsMoist snuffKreteks (clove cigarettes)RYO (Balani)SnusOther68.3%48.0%22.9%19.1%15.7%9.7%8.2%7.8%6.3%6.0%3.1%2.8%2.2%1.9%1.6%

Source: DHS, 2018


Cigarette smoking by education


Smoking prevalence reduces as the level of education increases. People with no education are 4 times more likely to smoke tobacco than those with higher education. Among women, the prevalence of smoking was 1.2% for women with higher education compared to 2.5% for women with no education. Among men, people with no education were three times more likely to consume tobacco products compared to those with higher education at 8.3% and 25.7% respectively.

The chart below shows cigarette smoking by the level of education and gender.


Prevalence of cigarette smoking by level of education and gender


0%2%4%6%8%10%12%14%16%18%20%22%24%26%Prevalence rateHigherSecondaryPrimaryNo educationEducation level8.3%16.2%22.9%25.7%1.2%0.7%0.7%2.5%

Source: MOH, 2018


Cigarette smoking by wealth


Smoking prevalence is highest among persons within the lowest wealth quintile at 28.2% for men and 1.3% for women. Among women, the highest prevalence was estimated for women within the lowest and the highest quintiles at 1.3% and 1.0% respectively. Women within the 2nd quintile had the lowest tobacco use prevalence at 0.6%. A male in the lowest quintile is more than twice more likely to use tobacco than a male in the highest quintile.

The charts below show tobacco smoking prevalence by wealth quintiles and gender.


Prevalence of cigarette smoking by wealth quintiles and gender


LowestSecondMiddleFourthHighest0%5%10%15%20%25%30%Prevalence rate1.3%0.6%0.7%0.9%1.0%28.2%21.2%17.9%16.5%12.1%

Source: DHS, 2018


Prevalence of menthol tobacco use by level of education


The prevalence of consumption of menthol tobacco was higher among the moderately educated and the highly educated at 47.5% and 43.6% respectively. People with higher education have more disposable incomes to spend on menthol tobacco products.

The charts below show menthol cigarette smoking by the level of education.


Prevalence of menthol cigarette smoking by level of education


0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%High (secondary school or higher)Moderate (completed primary school)Low (illiterate/not completed primary school)Education level43.6%47.5%8.9%

Source: DHS, 2018


Cigarette smoking prevalence was highest in Eastern (13.07%) and Luapula (12.47%) provinces and lowest in Western (9.38%) and Muchinga (9.58%) provinces.

Prevalence of Tobacco Use by Province with Eastern and Luapula Provinces indicating the highest prevalence levels.


Prevalence of tobacco use by province


  • Prevalence rate|
  • 0% - 3.99%
  • 4% - 7.99%
  • 8% - 11.99%
  • 12% - 15.99%