Retail volume sales of cigarettes in Malaysia rose by 1% in 2024, reaching 7.3 billion sticks, restoring levels to those seen in 2022 after a marginal contraction in 2023. This modest growth was driven by several factors; despite the continued dominance of illicit cigarettes, stricter compliance control and vigorous enforcement actions by the Royal Malaysia Police and Royal Malaysian Customs Department placed pressure on the black market. The gradual erosion of illicit sales, due to increased re

In 2024, the Israel-Hamas war had a significant influence on sales of cigarettes in Israel, which increased as heightened stress levels took hold throughout the year. Many locals were called up to serve in the army reserves, and the pressure of this situation led to a rise in smoking rates, both among those already serving and among new smokers. It is widely recognised in the country that smoking is more prevalent in military life than in civilian settings, but this period also saw an uptick in

Volume sales of cigarettes in New Zealand contracted at double-digit rates in 2024. The category has been in decline since 2020, when respiratory concerns were at the forefront during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and trading restrictions and supply chain disruptions affected consumers' ability to make purchases. Volume decline was largely attributable to the cost-of-living pressures, with high interest rates and a weak economy significantly hampering discretionary spending levels. As cig

Volume sales of cigarettes increased slightly in Mexico in 2024, with the overall category shaped by inflation-driven downtrading and the disruptive rise of vaping. While cigarette sales saw some small growth, this was largely fuelled by a shift toward value formats - particularly 25-stick full flavour packs. Local consumers, pressured by rising prices and the increasing cost of loose cigarettes, opted for larger, more economical formats. Simultaneously, the growing popularity of vaping products

Retail volume sales of cigarettes in the US declined strongly in 2024, albeit at a slightly slower rate than in 2022 and 2023. A delay on the menthol ban stabilised decline, to some extent, although illicit trade volumes rose. The anticipated federal menthol ban, originally expected in 2023, was postponed due to political and economic pushback, providing temporary stability to legal cigarettes. Menthol cigarettes remained a key category, accounting for approximately one third of retail volume sa

Volume sales of cigarettes increased in 2024, going against the long-term decline in consumption, notably among young adults. However, this does not indicate a reversal of this trend and was mostly the result of consumers anticipating a price increase in 2025 and stocking up to make savings, with the duty per stick increasing from 11.15 cents to 11.71 cents in January 2025.

Retail volume sales of cigarettes declined in 2024, continuing the category’s long-term downward trend. This contraction was shaped by a mix of economic challenges, social change, and evolving consumer preferences. Serbia’s inflationary environment has led to greater price sensitivity, especially among lower-income smokers who are increasingly seeking ways to reduce household costs. Rising taxation has compounded this issue, making cigarettes less affordable and pushing some consumers to reduce

Retail volume sales of cigarettes decreased strongly in Singapore in 2024. This downturn was largely driven by a continued decrease in smoking prevalence and less social acceptance of tobacco products. In addition, economic conditions heightened consumers’ price sensitivity. The two-stage GST hike implemented in 2023 and 2024 led to increased prices and reduced discretionary spending on cigarettes, with many consumers quitting altogether. The tax on a packet of cigarettes is now around 70% befor

Volume sales of cigarettes decreased in 2024, falling to a total of 5.6 billion sticks. The decline in volume sales is a long-term trend driven by multiple factors, including growing awareness of smoking’s health risks and increased access to alternative products, which has encouraged a shift toward less harmful choices. Additionally, rising cigarette prices have continued to put pressure on household budgets, further accelerating the decrease in smoking rates.

Cigarettes remained the largest category in the Croatian tobacco market in 2024. During the year, volume growth was driven by a reduction in illicit trade, which redirected demand towards legal channels. Tourism has also significantly contributed to this expansion, as many visitors from countries with higher tobacco prices purchase substantial quantities of cigarettes while in Croatia, boosting overall sales volumes. At the same time, leading manufacturers, including JTI and PMI, supported growt

Decreasing sales of cigarettes in Georgia in 2024 is driven by a declining population, the rising popularity of alternative products, such as e-vapour products and heated tobacco, strict tobacco control measures and higher taxation on cigarettes.

In 2024, cigarettes in Kenya continued to shrink due to a combination of stricter regulations, shifting social norms, and reduced production capacity. The enforcement of the Tobacco Control Act of 2007 intensified, with some counties adopting measures that restrict public and shelf displays, leading to a “purchase-on-request” model. This limited visibility has contributed to a decline in consumer uptake, particularly among new or occasional smokers. Meanwhile, enforcement around designated smoki

Volume sales of cigarettes in Slovakia declined in 2024 as the category faced intensifying regulatory pressure and continued shifts in consumer attitudes. The excise tax on cigarettes rose in February 2024, reaching EUR91.30 per 1,000 units. This increase in price prompted many consumers to seek out more affordable alternatives, such as smoking tobacco or modern nicotine products like single-use e-cigarettes, which were not impacted by comparable tax hikes. These alternatives were especially pop

Cigarette sales remained in a decline in Canada in 2024, due to the ongoing trends towards smoking cessation. Social attitudes towards smoking, and cigarettes in particular, are negative, and the government is pushing for new warnings about the dangers of smoking.

In 2024, Lithuania’s cigarette market remained on a steady downward trajectory, driven by a combination of rising prices, tightening regulations, and shifting consumer preferences. Legal sales continued to fall, while illicit trade also contracted, reflecting ongoing enforcement efforts and stricter border controls. At the same time, more consumers, particularly younger ones, are moving away from traditional cigarettes in favour of heated tobacco and vapour products. The market environment is in

Cigarettes registered a further fall in volume sales in Slovenia in 2024. Smoking prevalence continued to fall as consumers safeguarded their health and also due to a pronounced consumer shift towards reduced harm products, particularly heated tobacco products. Those who continued to smoke cigarettes remain highly price conscious and under pressure from the lingering effects of the inflation are switching to smoking tobacco, particularly fine cut tobacco. In addition, due to strict controls, ill

Cigarette volume sales in Romania declined in 2024, continuing the downward trend observed in the previous year. While the category had rebounded in 2022 due to post-pandemic recovery, renewed declines followed in 2023 and 2024, driven by rising unit prices and greater health consciousness among consumers. The growing appeal of alternative tobacco products, particularly e-vapour and heated tobacco devices, also contributed to the decline, as these are perceived by many as healthier or more moder

Retail volume sales of cigarettes in Latvia declined in 2024, underscoring the ongoing impact of decreasing smoking prevalence and a significant consumer shift towards lower-cost or reduced-risk alternatives. Among these alternatives, Closed System Single-Use (CSSU) products are emerging as the fastest-growing category, outperforming other options in the market.

Cigarette volume sales in Tunisia declined in 2024, largely due to supply shortages affecting both local and international brands. Popular domestic offerings such as 20 Mars Silver and Bousetta, along with international brands like Royal Light and Royal 100’s, were frequently unavailable. The state-owned Régie Nationale des Tabacs et des Allumettes (RNTA), which holds a monopoly over the legal tobacco market, continued to face serious financial difficulties - disrupting production and delaying

Retail volume sales of cigarettes declined in Cameroon during 2024, albeit at a significantly slower pace than in the previous year. The decline was driven by a myriad of factors, including unit price rises, falling import volumes, and a growing illicit cigarette trade. Most cigarette brands rose in price from XAF25–33 per stick to XAF50 per stick, while the illicit trade grew to account for more than a third of total volume sales for the first time, partly as a result of this price hike. The pr

Despite government efforts to raise excise taxes, ban advertising, and impose restrictions, smoking prevalence in Azerbaijan saw only a slight decline in 2024. While the consumption of legal cigarettes decreased, there was a sharp rise in illicit trade in the year. In the capital, it remains relatively easy to purchase cigarettes without excise stamps. In response, border control services have intensified efforts to combat illegal imports, including shipments arriving via the Caspian Sea.

Volume sales of cigarettes increased by nearly a fifth in 2024. There were several reasons for this.

Uruguay’s economy remained relatively stable in 2024, in contrast to ongoing economic turmoil in neighbouring Argentina. Despite this, the country’s tobacco industry continued to face considerable challenges, including stringent tobacco control legislation and a high tax burden. These factors drove a notable rise in illicit cigarette consumption, with illegal products accounting for over one third of total cigarette volume sales in 2024 - a marked increase compared to previous years. However, th

In 2024, sales of cigarettes in Sweden declined in volume terms, extending the downward trend observed throughout the review period. During the year, Sweden became the first country in the world to achieve official “smoke-free” status, with fewer than 5% of adults smoking cigarettes daily - reaching this milestone 16 years ahead of the European Union’s 2040 target.