Tobacco consumption in Israel diverged from global trends in 2024, with a rise in smoking prevalence attributable to heightened stress levels resulting from the Israel-Hamas conflict. Local consumers increasingly turned to smoking as a coping mechanism, which contributed to an increase in cigarette sales during 2024. This contrasts with the general global pattern, which reflects a decline in smoking prevalence over the same period. Additionally, a significant number of former smokers resumed the

The nicotine and cannabis markets continue their evolution and are expected to reach a combined USD1.2 trillion in value by 2029. It becomes critical to separate the noise from actionable insights to clarify which strategies are helping companies and countries worldwide capture opportunities. This report aims to highlight the central issues in the industry, informing equitable conversations and strategies. Tags: Tobacco, Cannabis

Amid New Zealand’s strategy to achieve a smoke-free nation by 2025, the smoking rate in the country has continued to decline. Public health campaigns, higher tobacco taxes, and smoking bans in public places have contributed to this. Smoking has a more negative image, especially among younger generations, who are increasingly health conscious. This trend has prompted many tobacco companies to pivot towards alternative products, such as heated tobacco and e-cigarettes, to capture a share of non-co

Mexico’s tobacco industry is undergoing significant changes, with three major trends emerging – all of which were notable in 2024. First, there is a noticeable decline in smoking prevalence and a growing social stigma associated with tobacco use, driven by increased awareness of health risks and aggressive anti-smoking campaigns. Secondly, economic conditions are influencing consumer behaviour, with heightened price sensitivity leading to a preference for cheaper alternatives or reduced consumpt

The annual rate of growth in retail volume sales of tobacco in Côte d’Ivoire accelerated sharply in 2024. The fastest-growing category is ‘light’ cigarettes, which have a lower nicotine content. Cigars and cigarillos remain a niche, primarily targeted at a small group of affluent men over the age of 40. Consuming smoking tobacco (shisha) via water pipes is growing in popularity among young urban consumers. The rate of growth in retail volume sales of e-vapour products also accelerated in 2024, b

The rate of growth in retail volume (sticks) sales of tobacco in Tanzania accelerated sharply in 2024. Having declined earlier in the review period, retail volume (sticks) sales of cigarettes exhibited strong growth in 2024. Locally manufactured brands are growing in popularity due to their affordability, as their prices have remained relatively stable. There has been a notable rise in the availability of global cigarette brands, particularly within the premium and mid-range categories, mainly d

Tobacco volume sales returned to growth in Sri Lanka in 2024 after a significant decline in the previous year. Value sales rose significantly faster than volumes during 2024 as a result of the government's more aggressive tax policies, which have increased costs and decreased demand. Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) continues to hold monopoly status in the market, with the John Player Gold Leaf brand dominating. The illegal trade, primarily suitcase cigarettes, and the unregulated beedi sector, whic

Tobacco in 2024: The big picture

Tobacco in the US continued its structural decline in 2024, with a strong drop in overall retail volume sales, as multiple headwinds converged. Traditional combustible products bore the brunt of this contraction, with cigarettes, still accounting for the bulk of total tobacco retail volume sales, seeing fast declines. This downward trajectory reflects not a single factor but rather the culmination of long-term societal shifts, economic pressures and product innovation in alternative nicotine del

Tobacco saw a return to volume growth in Iraq in 2024. Government policies and taxes are pushing the market to rely more on local production for both cigarettes and smoking tobacco. The number of factories in both categories has increased rapidly and is expected to continue growing in the coming years. There is an oversupply across all categories, leading to a drop in prices. To remain profitable, suppliers are focusing on high-volume sales, often cutting prices to gain market share. This has re

The government raised the taxation rates on all categories of tobacco in Jordan in 2024. Hence, tobacco product prices increased across the board in 2024. Taxation changes favoured cigarettes and heated tobacco as their prices grew by up to 20%. Meanwhile, prices of shisha products rose by up to 40%, while e-vapour products’ prices increased by up to 50%. Hence, some smokers in Jordan switched to cigarettes and heated tobacco as they looked for the most economically viable products amid the seve

In 2024, Myanmar's tobacco industry recorded a positive overall performance in both volume and value terms. High prevalence of tobacco use remained a key growth driver, underpinned by habitual consumption patterns and relatively low barriers to access. Across the country, tobacco products remain widely available and affordable, with limited public health campaigns or government-backed cessation programmes in place to curb usage. The continuing absence of strong regulatory oversight or taxation r

Polarisation was a key feature of tobacco in Kuwait in 2024. There was higher popularity for premium brands in cigarettes and cigars and cigarillos among higher-income consumers, while inflationary pressures and rising prices led to trading down to standard and economy brands. Economic disparity remained stark in Kuwait, with the wealthiest residents living in luxury and low-income foreign workers surviving on as little as KWD80.00 per month.

Tobacco consumption in Oman remained relatively steady in 2024, with performance shaped by a complex interplay of cultural preferences, economic realities, and ongoing regulatory constraints. While traditional formats such as cigarettes and shisha maintained their stronghold, shifting attitudes and the absence of legal alternatives like vapes continued to influence consumer behaviour.

Tobacco saw volume sales rise in Lebanon in 2024. Despite the global trends in smoking habits, which are generally declining, smoking prevalence in Lebanon remains very high with little effort to limit or reduce smoking. There are no awareness campaigns, or they are very few and very limited, and the price of tobacco remains very affordable compared to some other countries and compared to Europe and the US.

Ghana’s tobacco industry saw major shifts in 2024, driven by tougher regulations, economic pressures, changing consumer habits and the rise of nicotine alternatives. Cigarette sales declined marginally amid rising taxes and tighter laws, while products like heated tobacco and e-vapour gained attention despite regulatory challenges. British American Tobacco Ghana Ltd (BAT) remains dominant, but local and emerging brands compete through lower pricing and targeted marketing.

Tobacco in Qatar remained stable in 2024, with steady demand across cigarettes, cigars, and smoking tobacco products. The landscape was shaped by evolving consumer preferences, the enduring popularity of traditional formats such as Medwakh, and the continued expansion of distribution channels.

Tobacco consumption in Serbia continued to shift in 2024, shaped by declining smoking prevalence, rising economic pressures, and a growing appetite for alternative nicotine products. The legal smoking population is gradually shrinking, and societal attitudes toward smoking are becoming more negative, particularly among younger generations. These shifts are translating into ongoing volume declines in cigarettes, as consumers either reduce their tobacco intake or explore perceived lower-risk alter

Retail volume sales of cigarettes in Germany increased in 2024. This was despite smoking prevalence continuing to see a slow but steady decline, notably among young adults. Moreover, there is declining social acceptance of tobacco in public places, with Germany still having fewer limitations than some neighbouring countries. For example, the public smoking ban in Milan has sparked public discourse in Germany around passive smoking and its health effects, and whether further smoking bans should b

Tobacco in Bangladesh was affected by a rise in VAT (value-added tax) in January 2025. On prices of cigarettes, the new VAT raised the per stick cost significantly. This price rise may impact the sales performance or see companies enjoy good profits from sales. However, retail volume sales of cigarettes declined in 2024 and companies may find the terrain harder still with higher prices. On the other hand, investment is rising among manufacturers and product variety may widen in 2025.

Retail volume sales of cigarettes in Ethiopia continued to expand at a robust pace in 2024, but the liberalisation of the foreign exchange rate in July 2024 effectively doubled raw material import costs, contributing to a sharp increase in cigarette prices. Pipe tobacco remains prevalent in rural areas, while illegally smuggled tobacco for use in shisha and hookah pipes is widely consumed by young adults, with e-vapour products also growing in popularity among this group.

The cigarette market is expected to see minimal organic volume growth in the coming years, but still presents opportunities, as companies can facilitate the transition to reduced-risk products, diversify their offerings, and innovate in relaxation and wellness, due to changes in societal attitudes, and the rise of herbal and functional products.

In 2024, tobacco in Singapore continued its decline in retail volume sales, following the trend observed for several years. Cigarettes maintained its downward trajectory, with the mid-priced and premium segments under pressure in particular. This was due to consumers' ongoing search for more affordable options as a result of continual price rises, thereby benefiting the economy price band in terms of share, although not sales. Smoking tobacco also saw a volume decline in 2024, due to price rises

In 2024, Kenya’s tobacco landscape continued its slow but unmistakable evolution, shaped by the convergence of economic pressures, shifting consumer values, and a diversifying product landscape. Traditional smoking continued to face headwinds due to rising excise taxes, tighter advertising and public usage restrictions, and a growing awareness of tobacco-related health risks. At the same time, consumers – particularly younger adults – began exploring emerging alternatives such as e-vapour produc