Tobacco in 2024: The big picture
Retail volume sales (sticks) of tobacco continued to decline in 2024 but at a slower rate than in the previous year. Cigarettes continued to dominate tobacco sales, and retail volume sales of cigarettes declined, driven by unit price rises, falling import volumes and a growing illicit trade. Demand for most other types of tobacco remains very limited in Cameroon, but shisha (under pipe tobacco) continues to grow in popularity among young adults in urban areas.
2024 key trends
Cigarettes remained the largest and most widely consumed tobacco product in Cameroon in 2024, driven by cultural preference and affordability, particularly as innovation in non-combustible alternatives remains limited. However, aggressive tax measures such as revised cigarette stamp markings and an increase in the specific tax per 1,000 sticks from XAF3,000 FCFA to XAF5,000 have put substantial pressure on the formal market. Public awareness campaigns led by groups like C3T and the Ministry of Health have further intensified scrutiny.
Competitive landscape
British American Tobacco Plc (BAT) remains the dominant player in the Cameroonian tobacco industry, thanks to its strong portfolio of cigarette brands. However, its market-leading brand Rothmans lost retail volume share in 2024 due to a price hike: BAT increased the price of Rothmans from XAF25 per stick to XAF50 per stick, moving it from the economy to the mid-priced category. This price hike led to a loss of market share to Société de Distribution et de Négoce International Sarl’s (SODISNI) Aspen, the most dynamic brand in 2024. Aspen is available in both blue and menthol variants.
Retail developments
Small local grocers remain the leading distribution channel for tobacco in Cameroon, owing to their sheer number and proximity to residential areas. Cigarettes form a substantial part of their product portfolio, and the practice of selling cigarettes per stick rather than by the pack remains highly attractive to many Cameroonian smokers, particularly those on low incomes. The strategic location of these stores allows consumers to conveniently purchase individual sticks, often on the go. Additionally, construction workers a key consumer segment for cigarettes make a significant contribution to sales in these outlets. Since construction sites are commonly located within residential areas, workers frequently buy cigarettes from nearby grocers during their breaks.
What next for tobacco?
Retail volume (sticks) sales of tobacco will continue to decline in Cameroon throughout the forecast period, with cigarettes the main driver of this, with continued strong growth in illicit sales of cigarettes and a fall in the rate of smoking prevalence. However, there will be robust growth in demand for pipe tobacco, as shisha use continues to increase, and e-vapour products.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Tobacco industry in Cameroon with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:
- Cigarettes
- Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco
- Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco
If you're in the Tobacco industry in Cameroon, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Tobacco in Cameroon report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Tobacco in Cameroon?
- Which are the leading brands in Tobacco in Cameroon?
- How are products distributed in Tobacco in Cameroon?
- Which category is the most heavily taxed in Cameroon?
- How is the operating environment for Tobacco changing?
- What are the current legislative restrictions applicable to the sale of Tobacco products in Cameroon?
- How has COVID-19 impacted demand?
- How have national lockdown and enforced home seclusion following COVID-19 impacted sales?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Tobacco in Cameroon
Tobacco in 2024: The big picture
2024 key trends
Competitive landscape
Retail developments
What next for tobacco?
Legislation
Legislative overview
Minimum legal smoking age
Smoking prevalence
Tar levels
Health warnings
Plain packaging
Advertising and sponsorship
Point-of-sale display bans
Smoking in public places
Low ignition propensity (LIP) cigarette regulation
Flavoured tobacco product ban
Reduced harm
Vapour products
PRODUCTION/IMPORTS/EXPORTS
DISCLAIMER
Cigarettes in Cameroon
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Price hikes depress demand, boost illicit trade
Price stability helps SODISNI grow its retail volume share
Food/drink/tobacco specialists gain ground, as small local grocers retreat
Illicit trade will continue to weigh on cigarette sales
Rising smoking prevalence among young Cameroonians
Innovation likely to remain limited
Taxation rates
Average cigarette pack price breakdown
Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco in Cameroon
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Cigars and cigarillos struggle amid shisha boom
Al Fakher dominates smoking tobacco with its extensive shisha portfolio
Hospitality (on-trade) continues to grow in importance as a distribution channel
Nightlife will remain a key growth driver
Impact of shisha ban remains uncertain
Novel flavours and reduced-harm offerings could find favour among local consumers
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Tobacco
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- Fine Cut Cigarettes
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- Cigarettes (Illicit+Legal)
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- Cigars
- Cigarillos
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- Pipe Tobacco
- Fine Cut Tobacco
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- Chewing Tobacco
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- Loose US-Style Moist Snuff
- Portion US-Style Moist Snuff
- Swedish-Style Snus
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- Closed System Single Use
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- Closed System Rechargeable (including starter kits)
- Closed System Cartridges
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- Open Vaping Systems Charging and Vapourising Devices
- E-liquids
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- Tobacco Heating Devices
- Heated Tobacco
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- Nicotine Pouches
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- Closed System Single Use (Illicit+Legal)
- Closed System Cartridges (Illicit+Legal)
- E-Liquids (Illicit+Legal)
Tobacco
Passport Tobacco covers the seven major tobacco categories: Cigarettes, Cigars & Cigarillos, Smoking tobacco (made up of Pipe tobacco and RYO tobacco), Smokeless Tobacco (snuff and chewing tobacco), E-Vapour Products (closed and open); Heated Tobacco; and Tobacco Free Oral Nicotine. Smoking paraphernalia such as pipes, rolling papers, lighters or matches, etc., are not included, nor are nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, which are part of Euromonitor's Passport Consumer Healthcare database.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
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This report originates from Passport, our Tobacco research and analysis database.
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