30 Countries With the Highest Smoking Rates

According to WHO, eight million people die yearly from tobacco use. This figure includes smokers and non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke. Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death, and many countries are struggling to reduce its prevalence.

Besides tobacco’s direct health impacts, it also increases the likelihood of developing other chronic diseases. These include heart disease, stroke, cancer, and COPD. According to World Population Review research data, these countries have the highest smoking rates in the world.

Countries With the Highest Smoking Rates

1. Nauru

Total smoking rate: 52.10%
Male smoking rate: 51.70%
Female smoking rate: 52.60%

2. Kiribati

Total smoking rate: 52.00%
Male smoking rate: 68.60%
Female smoking rate: 35.50%

3. Tuvalu

Total smoking rate: 48.70%
Male smoking rate: 66.00%
Female smoking rate: 31.40%

4. Myanmar

Total smoking rate: 45.50%
Male smoking rate: 70.20%
Female smoking rate: 20.80%

5. Chile

Total smoking rate: 44.70%
Male smoking rate: 49.20%
Female smoking rate: 40.30%

6. Lebanon

Total smoking rate: 42.60%
Male smoking rate: 49.40%
Female smoking rate: 35.90%

7. Serbia

Total smoking rate: 40.60%
Male smoking rate: 40.00%
Female smoking rate: 41.20%

8. Bangladesh

Total smoking rate: 39.10%
Male smoking rate: 60.60%
Female smoking rate: 17.70%

9. Greece

Total smoking rate: 39.10%
Male smoking rate: 45.30%
Female smoking rate: 32.80%

10. Bulgaria

Total smoking rate: 38.90%
Male smoking rate: 42.50%
Female smoking rate: 35.30%

11. Bosnia And Herzegovina

Total smoking rate: 38.30%
Male smoking rate: 46.30%
Female smoking rate: 30.20%

12. Timor Leste

Total smoking rate: 38.20%
Male smoking rate: 65.80%
Female smoking rate: 10.70%

13. Indonesia

Total smoking rate: 37.90%
Male smoking rate: 70.50%
Female smoking rate: 5.30%

14. Solomon Islands

Total smoking rate: 37.90%
Male smoking rate: 55.90%
Female smoking rate: 19.90%

15. Laos

Total smoking rate: 37.80%
Male smoking rate: 60.10%
Female smoking rate: 15.50%

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16. Latvia

Total smoking rate: 36.70%
Male smoking rate: 49.50%
Female smoking rate: 24.00%

17. Cyprus

Total smoking rate: 36.70%
Male smoking rate: 50.10%
Female smoking rate: 23.30%

18. Croatia

Total smoking rate: 36.60%
Male smoking rate: 37.90%
Female smoking rate: 35.30%

19. France

Total smoking rate: 34.60%
Male smoking rate: 36.00%
Female smoking rate: 33.20%

20. Andorra

Total smoking rate: 33.80%
Male smoking rate: 38.10%
Female smoking rate: 29.50%

21. Slovakia

Total smoking rate: 32.30%
Male smoking rate: 38.60%
Female smoking rate: 26.00%

22. Nepal

Total smoking rate: 31.90%
Male smoking rate: 48.60%
Female smoking rate: 15.30%

23. South Africa

Total smoking rate: 31.40%
Male smoking rate: 46.80%
Female smoking rate: 16.00%

24. Hungary

Total smoking rate: 30.60%
Male smoking rate: 34.80%
Female smoking rate: 26.40%

25. Estonia

Total smoking rate: 30.50%
Male smoking rate: 36.90%
Female smoking rate: 24.10%

26. Tonga

Total smoking rate: 30.20%
Male smoking rate: 48.40%
Female smoking rate: 12.10%

27. Georgia

Total smoking rate: 29.70%
Male smoking rate: 54.20%
Female smoking rate: 5.20%

28. Lesotho

Total smoking rate: 29.70%
Male smoking rate: 54.70%
Female smoking rate: 4.60%

29. Turkey

Total smoking rate: 29.30%
Male smoking rate: 41.50%
Female smoking rate: 17.00%

30. Albania

Total smoking rate: 29.20%
Male smoking rate: 50.50%
Female smoking rate: 7.90%

Conclusion

Tobacco use is a major health concern worldwide, with the prevalence of smoking in these countries exceptionally high. Governments and healthcare organizations should continue to work together to reduce smoking rates and find ways to help current smokers quit. If you smoke, get help and stop to protect your health and the health of those around you.

This article was produced and syndicated on Health Makes You.