New tobacco use survey shows progress, but stronger enforcement and action needed in Ethiopia
Statement of Smita Baruah, Executive Vice President of Global Tobacco Control, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
April 09, 2025
Washington, D.C. – A new report from the government of Ethiopia and the World Health Organization (WHO) - the 2024 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) - confirms that Ethiopia's tobacco control laws are successfully keeping tobacco use rates low and reducing exposure to secondhand smoke. However, the findings also reveal critical gaps in enforcement and call for increased investment to sustain and build on this progress.
According to the survey, overall tobacco use in Ethiopia stands at 4.6%, with substantially higher prevalence among men (8.8%) than women (0.5%). The rate of tobacco use among women is a significant drop since 2016 and is an encouraging sign of progress. Yet with Ethiopia's large population, approximately 2.4 million adults still use tobacco products, posing a continued threat to public health.
According to the WHO, tobacco use kills up to half of all lifetime users, and tobacco-related illnesses account for 1 in 10 adult deaths worldwide. By 2030, the WHO estimates, 80% of those deaths will be in low- and middle-income countries.
Ethiopia has made important strides toward meeting its obligations under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) since 2016 and its policies to reduce tobacco use are among the strongest in Africa. Smoke-free public places, a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, large pictorial warnings and restrictions on tobacco sales have all contributed to limiting tobacco use and protecting non-smokers.
However, the survey highlights the need for stronger and more consistent enforcement. Over 19% of adults working indoors and 20% of restaurant goers were still exposed to secondhand smoke despite legal protections. Enforcement of smoke-free laws remains inconsistent in public spaces such as government buildings, healthcare facilities and schools, where exposure levels remain high.
Alarmingly, exposure to tobacco advertising has risen sharply. In-store ad exposure nearly tripled, and overall exposure more than doubled since 2016. Pictorial health warnings are underperforming, as fewer than 40% of smokers report noticing them and only 18.4% considered quitting.
The message from Ethiopia's survey is clear: bold action works, but without strengthened enforcement and sustainable investment in prevention and cessation support, progress will stall.
To maintain progress, the government of Ethiopia must intensify enforcement of existing laws on advertising and smoke-free areas, expand cessation services and raise tobacco taxes - the most effective tool to reduce use and protect youth. Stronger public education, strict penalties and efforts to eliminate single-stick sales and illicit trade are also needed. The government must also reject efforts from the tobacco industry to interfere with public health policy processes.
We commend the efforts of the government and civil society organizations to take on the tobacco industry to pass and implement these laws, but the global tobacco companies have set their sights on Africa as a growth market. It is critical that Ethiopia reinforce its commitment to public health and take decisive steps to protect its people from tobacco use and the tobacco industry.