Smoking in Portugal
In Portugal, smoking is allowed but strictly regulated. The regulatory framework show that cigarettes are allowed in the country with some restrictions. Under these regulations, health warnings on packaging are mandatory, the minimum legal age for sales is 18 years, and smoking is restricted in public places. A comprehensive ban on all cigarette advertising is also in force. The excise tax of 45.34% contributing to a total taxation rate of 78% is applied on cigarettes. Cigarettes can legally be sold, and they may be purchased through vending machines. However, online purchase is not legal. Importing cigarettes for trade is allowed with an appropriate import license. Despite these control measures, prevalence data show that smoking prevalence is high in Portugal. There were 2.1 million current smokers in the country in 2024. This represents an overall adult smoking prevalence of 23.4%, with higher prevalence among men (30.8%) than among women (16.7%). The overall current smoking prevalence was 20.9% in 2022. Adult daily smoking prevalence was recorded to be 15.8% in 2023. Smoking-related mortality also remains significant. In 2021, smoking resulted in 8,087 deaths, including 6,797 among men and 1,290 among women. This means, smoking accounted for 6.57% of all deaths in Portugal in 2021, with a higher rate among men (10.94%) than among women (2.11%).
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March 16, 2026 by theportugalnews.com
Nicotine pouches to be sold in Portugal
The Portuguese government has approved the sale of nicotine pouches, which differ from snus as they do not contain tobacco. Tabaqueira eagerly awaited this decision, as they had requested authorization to market these products. Nicotine pouches, originally from Sweden, are legal in most EU countries. The sale of these pouches will be subject to a special consumption tax. The official launch date in Portugal is not yet announced, but some shops already have them available.
September 23, 2025 by gfn.tv
GFN.TV Interviews #72 | OPTIONS MATTER | Lisbon’s Vaping Project for Marginalized Groups
Portugal is celebrated for its progressive drug policy, yet tobacco harm reduction remains sidelined. At GFN 2025 in Warsaw, Adriana Curado of GAT in Lisbon shows how nicotine became “the forgotten substance.” From her own move away from smoking to a pioneering vaping project with people who use drugs and those experiencing homelessness, Curado exposes public health contradictions, the persistence of stigma, and why safer nicotine options matter—especially for marginalized groups.
August 07, 2025 by ginn.global
Portugal Pushes Back: The Economic and Public Health Stakes in the EU Tobacco Tax Reform
As the European Commission pushes forward on its most ambitious tobacco tax reform in over a decade, Portugal has stepped up as a strong opponent to key elements of the proposal. The sweeping reform, designed to align with the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan and introduce minimum tax levels on novel nicotine products like vapes and pouches, has drawn praise from public health advocates. But it also faces mounting criticism from countries that warn of unintended consequences. At the forefront of this resistance is Portugal, which argues that the proposed tax increases could undercut public health goals, harm national budgets, and fuel illicit trade.
December 23, 2024 by theportugalnews.com
Portugal's New Tobacco Laws and Their Impact on Consumers
Portugal's tobacco laws now treat electronic cigarettes like traditional tobacco, affecting consumers' choices and businesses. The changes have led to a rise in the popularity of nicotine pouches as tobacco-free options. The legislation aims to regulate all nicotine products, restrict their use in public places, and prevent underage consumption. Retailers and manufacturers must adjust marketing and sales strategies due to similar restrictions applied to electronic cigarettes and traditional tobacco. Consumers are urged to explore smoke-free alternatives like nicotine pouches that comply with the new regulations, emphasizing health and convenience. The global trend towards tobacco-free alternatives reflects a growing concern for health and wellness, with nicotine pouches offering a discreet and customizable option for users.
September 09, 2024 by filtermag.org
“The Forgotten Substance”—Harm Reduction Vaping Groups in Portugal
Harm reductionist Adriana Curado initiated vaping groups in Lisbon to assist marginalized individuals with smoking. Participants received support and products to reduce tobacco harm, with nearly all reducing tobacco use and some quitting. The project highlighted the importance of inclusive harm reduction strategies for tobacco and the participants' desire to improve their health. Curado emphasizes the need for access to safer nicotine products, data collection on affected populations, recognition of tobacco harm reduction in public health, and integration of nicotine in harm reduction strategies. The success of the vaping groups demonstrates the effectiveness of consumer-driven approaches in public health.
October 11, 2023 by theportugalnews.com
Tobacco tax extends to nicotine-free electronic cigarettes
Tobacco taxation will be extended to nicotine-free electronic cigarettes in 2024, according to the State Budget proposal, which foresees a total increase in tobacco tax revenue of 176.6 million euros. The extension of taxation to nicotine-free electronic cigarettes is due “to the exponential growth in consumption of these products in Portugal”, which constitutes, “on the one hand, a gateway for new consumers to adopt smoking habits and, on the other hand, a risk to public health from the lack of control over these products”.
April 15, 2022 by theportugalnews.com
Alcohol and tobacco taxes rise
The State Budget for 2022 (OE2022) has updated the Tax on Alcohol, Alcoholic Beverages and Sugar-Added Beverages (IABA) by 1%, with total revenue expected to amount to €286.8 million.
An identical rise of 1% will also target the Tobacco Tax (IT) rate, according to the report accompanying the OE2022 proposal.
“Regarding Special Consumption Taxes, the tax rates will be updated by 1% for IT and IABA”, says the document, noting that, “taking into account the expected evolution for private consumption and the internal demand”, an increase in revenue is expected in 2022, compared to 2021, of 20 million euros in IT (+1%) and 29 million euros in IABA (+11%).