Tobacco use prevalence in South Africa stands at 29.4%. Photo credit: Cottonbro, Pexels.
Smoking remains highly prevalent in South Africa relative to other countries, with daily smokers averaging 8.5 cigarettes per day.
These statistics are drawn from the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) South Africa report, published by the Department of Health. According to the latest GATS data collected from 7,245 households, tobacco use prevalence in South Africa stands at 29.4%.
The survey further reveals a higher proportion of men (41.7%) currently using tobacco compared to women (17.9%).
Dr. Catherine Egbe, the lead investigator from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), noted that 21.2% of adults in South Africa smoke daily, while 4.6% smoke occasionally.
Meanwhile, 2.2% of respondents indicated they currently use e-cigarettes, with 3.8% being men and 0.7% women. However, this contrasts with findings from the South African E-Cigarette Survey 2022, which reported that over one in 10 (11.3%) adults in urban South Africa have experimented with e-cigarettes. Additionally, 4% of adults were identified as regular e-cigarette users at the time of the survey.
According to GATS data, the highest proportion of tobacco smokers is found in the 45-64 age group, comprising 28.6% of the population in this range. Among males in this demographic, nearly half, or 47.4%, are tobacco smokers.
Among e-cigarette users, 70.3% cited enjoyment as a reason for use, while 67.5% mentioned flavor preferences. Additionally, 45.1% believed e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional tobacco products, and 43.5% said their use was influenced by friends or family who also use e-cigarettes.
The study also found that 3.1% of adults reported smoking hookah.
According to Statista, the revenue in South Africa's cigarettes market is projected to reach ZAR255.39 billion (US$13.9 billion) in 2024.
Despite the prevalence of the cigarette market in South Africa, illicit trade has seen significant growth. The South African government has estimated a loss of approximately ZAR119 billion (US$6.5 billion) in excise and VAT revenue from 2002 to 2022 due to the extensive illicit cigarette market in the country.