About

16.2% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 399,889 current smokers in Qatar

20.1% of men are current smokers but only 1.7% of women

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

Smoking in Qatar

Current smoking trends for the overall adult population in Qatar show an increase from 17% in 2000 to 22% in 2015, with a projection to increase further to around 24% by 2025. For women, the trend has been gradually downwards year by year, from a low start of 2% in 2000 to 1% in 2015, with a further projected drop to around 0.6% by 2025. For men the trend has been upwards, with 24% being current smokers in 2000, 28% in 2015 and a projection of a further increase to 32% 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. See also "A short guide for travellers to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022" in the news section of the website.

286

Deaths

In Qatar, 286 people die each year due to tobacco smoking.

0.4 million €

Market size of NRT.

NRT market size is estimated to 0.4 million €.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Qatar

The sale, distribution and advertising of e-cigarettes in Qatar is prohibited, as is possession and use, according to a government circular and a Health Ministry order of 2014. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has agreed on the matter. The GCC is a regional political and economic union which includes all Arab states in the Persian Gulf, except Iraq. The head of the Non-Communicable Disease Department at the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar has been quoted as saying that all retail outlets had been instructed not to sell e-cigarettes, and all border agencies had been instructed not to allow e-cigarettes into Qatar, also stating that anyone caught in possession of, or found to be importing, a vaping device will face disciplinary action, although it is not clear what this action might be.

Heated Tobacco Products

in Qatar

In July 2019, IQOS was launched across all GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, following the approval of the US FDA earlier in the year.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Qatar

NRT market size is estimated to 0.4 million €. In Qatar it is illegal to sell nicotine for using NRT. NRT is legal to market. NRT is available in Pharmacy.

Snus

in Qatar

Snus is allowed. Snus is legal to use.

Pouches

in Qatar

There is 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.