Mauritania Releases First Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) Country Report
Date : 20 May 2026
Venue : Nouakchott, Mauritania
The National Agency for Statistics and Demographic and
Economic Analysis (ANSADE) and the Ministry of Health of Mauritania have
released the first Country Report for the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS),
delivering essential data on tobacco use among adults aged 15 and older. The
final report establishes that 10.2% of adults (approximately 0.3 million
individuals) are current tobacco users, with 8.8% being smokers. The report
also details product preferences, noting that 5.7% of the adult population smoke
manufactured cigarettes while 2.9% smoke pipes filled with meneijà
tobacco. This comprehensive report serves as a vital evidence base for
Mauritania to assess the effectiveness of its demand reduction strategies and
monitor progress in meeting its international commitments under the WHO
Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
Public awareness of health risks remains high across the
country, with 92.2% of adults recognizing that smoking causes serious
illnesses. Despite these positive indicators, the report highlights substantial
and persistent challenges regarding secondhand smoke, with exposure reaching
34.7% in indoor workplaces and 44.7% among individuals visiting restaurants.
Notably, 61.4% of current tobacco smokers exhibit an interest in quitting, with
49.1% having actively attempted to quit in the past 12 months.
