[1] An estimate 33% of the population smoke daily, with 61% of East Timorese men who use tobacco products regularly.
There is very little restriction on Tobacco advertisement and it is common to see teachers and students smoking in school.
[1] A study in 2008 found that stress brought on from poverty and the struggle for independence significantly contributed towards youth smoking.
[2] Former President and independence activists Xanana Gusmão is himself a heavy smoker who said that cigarettes helped him and his colleagues stay calm while they were fighting the Indonesians.
[1] As with neighboring Indonesia tobacco advertisement is prevalent and cigarettes are cheap, only around 25 cents per pack.