Tobacco use in Zambia is on the rise, with increasing prevalence and deaths related to tobacco use. Zambia ratified the WHO FCTC in 2008 to tackle the health and economic impacts of tobacco use, with Article 6 acknowledging the importance of tax and price policies in influencing tobacco consumption, but the prevalence of illicit tobacco trade undermines pricing and taxation measures, making tobacco products more accessible and affordable. No study has assessed the proportion and extent of illicit cigarette trade in Zambia.