A new national survey reveals that while smoking rates in Egypt are falling, tobacco consumption continues to pose major health and financial challenges, particularly for lower-income families. According to the 2023/2024 Income and Consumer Expenditure Survey, published by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), Egypt’s smoking rate has dropped to 14.2 percent among people aged 15 and older, down from 17 percent two years ago. One of the most pressing concerns remains the widespread exposure to secondhand smoke (the smoke that is inhaled by non-smokers from the smoke exhaled by a smoker). Although only around one-third of households include a smoker, roughly 26 million non-smokers, primarily women and children, still live in these homes, increasing their risk of tobacco-related illnesses. Smoking in Egypt continues to be a predominantly male activity. Nearly 29 percent of men are smokers, compared to a mere 0.2 percent of women. The habit is especially prevalent among working-age adults, with the highest rates seen in the 35–44 age group (19.2 percent), followed closely by those aged 45–54 (18.5 percent) and 25–34 (17 percent). CAPMAS also shed light on how smoking affects different…
