Cigars and cigarillos experienced another strong performance in 2024 as this category expands from a relatively small base in Indonesia. Given Indonesia’s challenging economy, demand weakened even among the most loyal affluent consumer base. Current value growth slowed slightly in 2024 as price growth began to normalise. However, falling unit prices did not have a significant impact on volume sales.

In 2024, retail volume sales of cigars and cigarillos in Malaysia fell by 7% to 6.2 million units, marking a second consecutive year of contraction. While brands such as Swisher Sweets and Phillies gained some share following the exit of Hav-a-Tampa and Panter in 2023, cigars and cigarillos remained a relatively niche product in the market. The unstable local economy in 2024 limited the category's ability to expand its consumer base beyond existing enthusiasts, with the majority continuing to pr

Cigars are generally considered a celebratory form of tobacco, but in 2024 their popularity declined, as the Israel-Hamas war significantly affected morale. Alongside this, rising prices continued to have a negative impact on sales. However, the higher cost of cigars led to an increased interest in cigarillos, which are a more affordable alternative. The number of Israelis travelling abroad fell significantly in 2024 compared to 2023, and more local consumers purchased their cigars and cigarillo

Volume sales of cigars, cigarillos and smoking tobacco fell in 2024. Cigars and cigarillos are not typically used habitually like cigarettes and have not seen as much cannibalisation from vaping. Rather, the decline in volume sales for the category can be attributed to broader health and wellness preferences among local consumers, as well as cost-of-living pressures that have led to a contraction in discretionary spending. Whereas in the past, the rising price of cigarettes would see smokers tra

In 2024, cigar and cigarillo sales in Mexico saw a decline in volume terms due to a combination of global supply shortages and domestic regulatory challenges. The ongoing scarcity of Cuban tobacco - exacerbated by production issues - left many importers without inventory after depleting stockpiles from previous years. Simultaneously, importers faced severe delays at customs due to ambiguous and inconsistently applied tactical checkpoints, which are not formally regulated but have caused shipment

Cigars, cigarillos and smoking tobacco in the US all saw retail volume sales declines, albeit to varying degrees, in 2024. Both cigars and cigarillos in the US posted a double-digit decline at the end of the review period. Importantly, after seeing a resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic, premium cigars entered a cooling-off phase. COVID-19-related growth in cigars was driven by curiosity, a desire for leisure rituals during lockdowns and rising interest among younger adults of legal smoking a

Retail volume sales of cigars and cigarillos increased in 2024, as these products continued to be perceived as premium and aspirational, often associated with leisure, distinction, and elevated status. An increasing number of Serbian consumers showed a willingness to invest in high-quality, often artisanal cigars – particularly among urban middle- and upper-income groups. The growing availability of flavoured cigars and cigarillos, including options such as vanilla, cherry and chocolate, also co

Volume sales of cigars and cigarillos registered a small declined in 2024 to total 3.0 billion sticks. This resilient performance despite the contraction of the German economy highlights that core consumers generally perceive cigars and cigarillos as affordable and occasional treats. Daily consumption of cigars and cigarillos is low and mainly prevalent among males, especially older generations and those with above average incomes, thereby being relatively recession-proof. Sales also benefited f

Retail volume sales of cigars and cigarillos increased strongly in Singapore in 2024. In 2023, the reopening of casinos and entertainment businesses in other countries like Macau led Singapore to see a decline in sales of cigars and cigarillos. However, in 2024 Singapore saw a return to dynamic growth due to a pick up in the performance of the entertainment and recreational industry, such as casinos, leading to a consumption uptake for cigars and cigarillos. Price-insensitive demand for cigars a

Retail volume sales of cigars and cigarillos saw marginal growth in 2024, with cigarillos driving performance. The segment benefited from shifting consumer preferences towards premium and niche tobacco products, often consumed on special occasions or as status symbols. At the same time, excise tax increases targeting vaping and other alternatives made cigarillos appear relatively more affordable in comparison, contributing to their resilience. The increasing appeal of artisanal and flavoured cig

Volume sales of cigars and cigarillos in Croatia saw robust growth in 2024. This was primarily driven by rising consumer interest in premium tobacco experiences, particularly among affluent locals and tourists. While cigarillos continued to dominate the category in terms of volume, traditional cigars have seen a renewed interest, bolstered by their association with luxury, craftsmanship, and occasional indulgence. Moreover, as premium-priced products, cigars remained relatively insulated from in

Volume sales of cigars and cigarillos decreased by in 2024 to total 659 million units. Sales of cigars and cigarillos are moving in opposite directions, reflecting the distinct consumer bases and usage occasions associated with these two different products. Cigars remain a niche, high-end category, growing from a relatively small base, whereas cigarillos, particularly those positioned as economy options, have long been an affordable choice for Hungarian consumers. Cigarillo sales have been in de

Retail volume sales of cigars and cigarillos increased in 2024. This growth was underpinned by a blend of product innovation, improved accessibility, and evolving consumer preferences. Cigar smoking, once considered niche, is now being reframed as a social experience, especially among younger, urban consumers seeking alternatives to cigarettes and shisha. The emergence of cigar lounges and curated events – such as blind cigar tasting parties – has contributed to this repositioning by creating so

The cigars and cigarillos market in Georgia is growing in 2024 due to its strong association with status, luxury, and leisure. Affluent consumers are increasingly drawn to high-quality, handcrafted cigars, viewing them as premium products that are worth the higher price. This shift toward artisanal tobacco products is contributing to an increase in the market’s overall value. At the same time, flavoured cigarillos are gaining popularity among younger adult consumers by providing a more accessibl

Retail volume sales of cigars and cigarillos rose in 2024. Despite Romania's challenging economic context and declining purchasing power, this category remained resilient. Its relatively recent development in the Romanian market means there is still considerable room for growth, and its consumer base consists primarily of connoisseurs and affluent individuals who are less impacted by economic pressures. Nevertheless, growth was tempered by increasing health consciousness among consumers and risi

In 2024, the cigar category in Lithuania remained small and largely stagnant, with a stable but limited consumer base and no strong tradition of cigar consumption. Cigars continue to be viewed primarily as a product for occasional use, typically associated with special occasions, or when socialising in cigar clubs. Cigarillos remained significantly larger in volume terms; however, the category experienced a contraction in 2024 following a period of volatility. This decline was driven by the grad

Volume sales of cigars, cigarillos, and smoking tobacco declined sharply in Tunisia in 2024. Smoking tobacco - by far the largest category - experienced a notable reversal of fortunes, following several years of buoyant growth. A key contributor to this trend was the poor performance of Régie Nationale des Tabacs et des Allumettes’ (RNTA’s) local brand 111, launched in 2022 to target pipe and shisha smokers. The product was widely perceived as inferior to imported alternatives, resulting in weak

Cigars, cigarillos, and smoking tobacco is a category which faced the same downwards pressures as cigarettes in Canada in 2024. Within this, smoking tobacco saw the steepest volume decline in 2024, with declines in cigars and cigarillos similar, albeit with cigars slightly worse off than cigarillos. Value sales are also in a decline, albeit at less steep levels.

Smoking prevalence decline continued to take a toll on the performance of cigars and cigarillos in Slovenia in 2024, with volume sales falling. Consumers are increasing safeguarding their health and avoiding smoking. On top of this, Slovenian consumers, known for their frugality, are less interested to smoking cigars as a symbol of wealth. Cigarillos fared even worse than cigars in terms of volume decline, as it has reached a degree of maturity. However, in contrast to the performance of cigars

Cigars and cigarillos represents a shrinking category within Latvia’s broader tobacco market, a trend which continued into 2024. Cigars has seen a steady, albeit modest, decline - reflecting limited consumer appeal, infrequent usage, and a lack of brand innovation. Cigarillos meanwhile, has experienced a sharper downturn in recent years. This has been accelerated by the exit of major manufacturers such as JTI and the implementation of flavour bans, which removed a key point of differentiation fo

Cigars and cigarillos continued to record modest growth in Azerbaijan in 2024, although both categories remain niche. The cigar smoking culture is limited, with cigars generally perceived as luxury items, which restricts their accessibility - especially outside major urban centres - due to relatively high prices. While demand for premium cigarettes is growing, offering consumers a more accessible form of "luxury", cigars and cigarillos retain only a small share of the market. Their growth is fur

Cigars and cigarillos remained a niche product in Uzbekistan, largely due to cultural preferences and affordability issues. Traditional smoking habits in the country are focused on cigarettes, hookahs, nasvay, and, more recently, vaping—particularly among younger consumers. These established patterns leave little room for cigars and cigarillos to gain wider popularity. Additionally, their relatively high prices, combined with limited retail presence and heavy taxation, make them less accessible

Sales of cigars, cigarillos, and smoking tobacco experienced positive volume growth in Uruguay in 2024. Cigarillos benefitted from the appreciation of the Argentine peso, which led to a decline in small-scale contraband from Argentina. Additionally, the increasingly negative social perception of cigarette smokers contributed to some consumers shifting towards cigarillos, which are often viewed as more socially acceptable or sophisticated.

The rate of growth in retail volume sales (sticks) of cigars, cigarillos and smoking tobacco accelerated in Cameroon during 2024. Pipe tobacco drove this increase, as retail volume sales of both cigars and cigarillos continued to decline. Pipe tobacco accounts for the bulk of sales in this category.