Smoking in Bhutan
As of 2022, Bhutan had an adult tobacco smoking prevalence of 6.9% among individuals aged 15 years and older. The gender-specific prevalence indicates that 2.7% of females and 10.6% of males were smokers in the same year. This equates to approximately 40,314 smokers. The adult daily smoking prevalence in 2017 was 4.3%, with 6% among males and 2.1% among females. In terms of smoking-related mortality, data from 2021 shows that there were 329 deaths attributable to smoking, representing 7.43% of all deaths in the country. This includes 248 deaths among males, accounting for 10.3% of male deaths, and 81 deaths among females, accounting for 4.02% of female deaths. These statistics highlight the ongoing public health challenge posed by smoking in Bhutan, despite regulatory efforts to control its prevalence and impacts.
Read articles from Bhutan
June 03, 2024 by tobaccoreporter.com
Bhutan’s Tryst with Health Imperialism
Bhutan's tobacco ban, implemented in 2004, aimed to create a tobacco-free society but faced challenges. Despite reductions in public smoking, enforcement issues led to a flourishing black market. In 2021, the ban was lifted due to smuggling concerns during the pandemic. Lack of support for quitting led to the ban's failure, highlighting the need for cessation services and alternatives. Public health and psychiatry professionals in Bhutan face barriers in providing cessation support. The country now grapples with rising tobacco use, signaling the importance of accessible cessation products and services to improve public health. Western influences on Bhutan's policies should give way to locally tailored solutions for sustained health and happiness.