Smoking in South Africa
In South Africa, the current prevalence of tobacco smoking among adults aged 15 years and older was recorded to be 23.3% in 2024. In comparison, this prevalence was 20.2% in 2020 and 20.7% in 2019. Gender-specific data from 2024 indicate that 39.3% of males and 8.5% of females were tobacco smokers, illustrating a significant gender disparity in smoking habits. The total number of current smokers in 2024 was estimated to be 10.9 million individuals. The adult daily tobacco smoking prevalence in 2021 was 21.2%, with 35.1% among males and 8.3% among females. In terms of mortality, smoking accounted for 4.42% of all deaths in 2021, with males experiencing a higher percentage (5.75%) compared to females (2.86%). The annual number of smoking-related deaths in 2021 was 32,442, including 22,817 males and 9,625 females. Additionally, the number of smokers in 2022 was approximately 8,617,084, showing an increase from 8,323,703 smokers in 2020. These statistics represent the ongoing public health challenge posed by tobacco smoking in South Africa, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to reduce smoking prevalence and related mortality.
Read articles from South Africa
November 24, 2025 by dailyfriend.co.za
Bureaucrats and busybodies: COP11’s “experts” SA can do without
The COP11 in Geneva convenes to discuss tobacco control, yet critics emphasize the lack of individual rights in global health policy decisions. Foreign influences, like Bloomberg Philanthropies, are accused of promoting draconian measures that infringe on personal freedoms in South Africa's Tobacco Bill. Professor Lekan Ayo-Yusuf's advocacy for stringent controls aligns with international agendas, raising concerns over bodily autonomy and coercion. The narrative questions the intentions behind foreign-funded anti-tobacco campaigns, urging a balanced approach that respects individual choices and harm reduction strategies.
October 21, 2025 by iol.co.za
Smoke-free alternatives could help cut smoking deaths in South Africa, say industry players
Industry representatives say that expanding access to smoke-free products could help South Africa reduce smoking-related deaths as the government finalises new tobacco legislation. However, the high cost of such alternatives remains a major concern. South Africa has over 8.6 million smokers, and smoking causes around 32,000 deaths each year, according to Tobacco Control Data. Companies like Philip Morris International (PMI) argue that smoke-free products such as nicotine pouches could play a crucial role in cutting smoking-related deaths.
August 28, 2025 by timeslive.co.za
Treat smoking with same strategy used to combat HIV/Aids, tobacco company urges parliament
Philip Morris South Africa urged Parliament’s health committee to apply a harm reduction strategy to smoking, similar to the approach that helped combat HIV/AIDS in the country. The company argued that the current Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill does not differentiate between traditional combustible cigarettes and what it claims are less harmful alternatives, such as heated tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and oral nicotine products.
August 20, 2025 by sundayworld.co.za
‘Vaping is safer than cigarettes,’ Kgosi Letlape blasts health department advert
ActionSA MP Dr. Letlape defended vaping against Health Department claims, stating it's less harmful than smoking. He criticized false radio ads equating vaping to smoking and accused the department of spreading propaganda. Letlape lodged a complaint and called for the ads' withdrawal, arguing they mislead the public and undermine Parliament's authority. Letlape urged Health Minister Motsoaledi to clarify the misinformation and emphasized vaping's potential for smoking cessation. While e-cigarettes are deemed less harmful by Cancer Research UK, they are not risk-free and should only be used for smoking cessation. The Health Department's misleading ads are criticized for interfering with legislative processes.
August 19, 2025 by youtube.com
When Foreign Influence Clouds Local Voices | The Pack Breakers Podcast Reaction
In this special reaction episode, we break down a powerful moment from The Pack Breakers podcast when a South African MP boldly questioned the influence of foreign-funded NGOs and international institutions like the WHO in shaping South Africa’s tobacco control legislation.
July 01, 2025 by mg.co.za
‘Vapes are safe alternatives to smoking’ — and other lies they tell us
Lekan Ayo-Yusuf discussed the 2025 WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic and the Tobacco Bill, emphasizing the industry's shift towards electronic devices like vapes and heated tobacco products. The report reveals how tobacco companies manipulate regulations, funding biased research, and promoting new products as harm-reduction tools. Ayo-Yusuf highlighted the ineffectiveness of these products in reducing harm and the industry's violation of tobacco laws. The Tobacco Bill aims to control the marketing and use of these products, especially among youth. Despite the rising popularity of vapes and heated tobacco in South Africa, Ayo-Yusuf expressed concerns about the increasing number of smokers and emphasized the need for stricter regulations.
June 12, 2025 by africannewsagency.com
Vaping industry calls for smarter nicotine policies as smoking rates surge in South Africa
The vaping industry in South Africa calls for smarter nicotine policies amidst rising tobacco smoking rates. Parliament is reviewing the Tobacco Bill to regulate product processing, advertising, and appearance. Vaping advocates stress the need for evidence-based nicotine policies, cessation support, and harm reduction tools like e-cigarettes. With smoking prevalence increasing, there's a call for a shift towards safer alternatives and better enforcement. The Advertising Regulatory Board supports regulating vapor products, highlighting health benefits for smokers who switch. It emphasizes clear communication of benefits while discouraging non-smokers from vaping. Collaboration with the industry led to guidelines including restrictions on marketing to minors and health claims.
June 02, 2025 by smilefm.co.za
WHO lauds South Africa for efforts in strengthening anti-tobacco laws
WHO praised South Africa for enhancing anti-tobacco laws on World No-Tobacco Day. The country aims to ban tobacco and vaping advertising, regulate e-cigarettes, and combat manipulative marketing targeting youth. The Tobacco Products Control Bill addresses health risks from tobacco and e-cigarettes by banning advertising, regulating e-cigarettes, and protecting youth from predatory marketing. The bill seeks to reduce smoking and vaping among young people and challenge Big Tobacco's strategies. Its focus is on public health and ending nicotine addiction in South Africa by closing regulatory gaps and protecting the youth.
June 02, 2025 by smilefm.co.za
WHO lauds South Africa for efforts in strengthening anti-tobacco laws
WHO praised South Africa for enhancing anti-tobacco laws on World No-Tobacco Day. The country aims to ban tobacco and vaping advertising, regulate e-cigarettes, and combat manipulative marketing targeting youth. The Tobacco Products Control Bill addresses health risks from tobacco and e-cigarettes by banning advertising, regulating e-cigarettes, and protecting youth from predatory marketing. The bill seeks to reduce smoking and vaping among young people and challenge Big Tobacco's strategies. Its focus is on public health and ending nicotine addiction in South Africa by closing regulatory gaps and protecting the youth.
March 12, 2025 by gfn.tv
GFN News #141 | SOUTH AFRICA'S MYSTERY VAPE TAX UPDATE
Mystery surrounds South Africa's upcoming budget announcement, with fiscal policies regarding vapes and tobacco products likely under scrutiny. But with little concrete information available, wihat could change in the coming weeks? Kurt Yeo joins us on GFN News to explore these regulatory changes and South Africa's current problematic approach to safer nicotine products.
- Page 1 of 9