We carried out a cross-sectional survey to study the prevalence and the characteristics of current and former smoking among Omani adults. Crude prevalence of current smoking was 7.0% (males 13.4%, females 0.5%); 2.3% were former smokers. The overall highest prevalence of current smoking (11.1%) was observed in those 40-49 years (18.7% of males, 0.9% of females). Older age (> or = 40 years), higher educational level and larger family size were protective against smoking. Mean age for starting smoking was 18.7 years for males and 24.3 years for females. Although smoking prevalence is low in Oman, prevention should be addressed in health education programmes, with the emphasis on heightening awareness in adolescents. Government action, e.g. tobacco taxation, clean air laws and bans on advertising, is also recommended.