Smoking in Georgia
In Georgia, smoking is legally allowed and cigarettes can be purchased in person or online, and imported for trade with a license. However, sales through vending machines are banned. There is also a minimum age requirement of 18 years for all tobacco purchases, and all packages must display a health warning. Furthermore, there is a total ban on all forms of advertising and promotion for these products, including cigarettes. Smoking in public is also restricted in places such as healthcare and educational facilities. Cigarettes are subject to a specific excise tax of 27.42% and a total taxation rate of 74.49%. The prevalence and impact of tobacco smoking present significant public health challenges in Georgia. As of 2024, an estimated 834,000 individuals aged 15 years and older were reported to be current smokers. The current prevalence of smoking among adults was reported to be 28% in 2024, with 7.8% prevalence among adult females, and 52.4% prevalence among adult males. The adult daily smoking prevalence in 2021 was 24.2%, with 7.7% among females and 43.3% among males. Data from 2021 highlight the health consequences of smoking in Georgia, with 12,018 deaths recorded that year. These figures indicate that 10.95% of all deaths in Georgia were attributable to smoking, including 18.23% of all male deaths and 3.59% of female deaths. These data provide a critical backdrop for public health initiatives and regulatory measures aimed at curbing tobacco use and mitigating its health impacts in Georgia.
Read articles from Georgia
January 21, 2026 by georgiatoday.ge
Georgia targets tobacco-free status by 2040 amid surge in e-cigarette
Georgia aims to be tobacco-free by 2040 but faces challenges due to increasing use of e-cigarettes. Despite progress in reducing tobacco use, consumption rates are high. The Tobacco Control Alliance urges action, emphasizing the need to curb alternative nicotine product use, particularly among the youth. To achieve the tobacco endgame policy, measures include taxing all tobacco equally, joining the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, and implementing plain packaging. Other recommendations involve restricting flavors, raising the legal age for tobacco purchase, and enforcing stricter regulations. Public support for these actions is high, emphasizing the need for political commitment to prioritize public health over tobacco industry interests.
January 21, 2026 by georgiatoday.ge
Georgia targets tobacco-free status by 2040 amid surge in e-cigarette
Georgia aims to be tobacco-free by 2040 but faces challenges due to increasing use of e-cigarettes. Despite progress in reducing tobacco use, consumption rates are high. The Tobacco Control Alliance urges action, emphasizing the need to curb alternative nicotine product use, particularly among the youth. To achieve the tobacco endgame policy, measures include taxing all tobacco equally, joining the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, and implementing plain packaging. Other recommendations involve restricting flavors, raising the legal age for tobacco purchase, and enforcing stricter regulations. Public support for these actions is high, emphasizing the need for political commitment to prioritize public health over tobacco industry interests.
March 11, 2025 by georgiatoday.ge
The Smoking Paradox in Georgia: Rising Numbers amidst Stricter Regulations
Georgia faces a concerning rise in smoking rates despite strict anti-tobacco laws, with daily smokers now at nearly 35%. Cultural norms and societal behaviors play a significant role, as smoking is deeply ingrained in Georgian culture. Urban men are more likely to smoke due to lifestyle and societal pressures. The popularity of alternative tobacco products among youth complicates efforts to reduce smoking. While public sentiment against smoking is strong, personal habits persist. Effective strategies must combine legislative actions with cultural shifts and support systems to combat smoking effectively in Georgia.
July 04, 2023 by worldvapersalliance.com
Harm Reduction in Georgia
If you have been following harm reduction globally, you might have noticed that developing countries often struggle with both factors – high smoking rates and a lack of sensible harm reduction approaches or policies.
This is true for many countries, and Georgia is not an exception. According to the Healthy Initiatives (an NGO) survey conducted in 2022, 26.4% of the adult population smokes conventional cigarettes in Georgia, and sadly, 51% do not even consider quitting. Only 2.8% of smokers quit through safer alternative nicotine products.