Tobacco in 2024: The big picture
Overall, tobacco registered a fall in volume sales in Costa Rica in 2024, largely due to a fall in volume sales for cigarettes. Though there was a slight decline in smoking prevalence, it did not fully explain the fall in volume sales, with an increase in illicit sales, also contributing to the decline in legal sales.
2024 key trends
Traditional combustible cigarettes continued to account for most volume sales overall. Cigarettes are widely available across numerous retail outlets and distribution channels throughout the country. Also, in addition to domestic consumers in Costa Rica, the tourism sector also contributes to volume sales.
Competitive landscape
Phillip Morris International (PMI), through its representative, Tabacalera Costarricense SA, continued to dominate tobacco in 2024, accounting for over a half of volume sales. Within cigarettes, PMI offers Marlboro, but also has several mid- and low-priced offerings, including Chesterfield and L&M. In addition, PMI is the only player in the burgeoning heated tobacco space and in 2024 it also launched the Iluma line of heated tobacco devices, along with the Terea heated tobacco sticks, which are less expensive than its Iqos device, with Heet sticks. On the e-vapour front, PMI’s presence has been increasing, albeit slowly, and it recently introduced Veev.
Retail developments
Small local grocers continued to be the main distribution channel for cigarettes. This is especially true in smaller towns and rural areas where the larger chained supermarkets and hypermarkets are not present. However, even in areas of San José, the pulperías (mom and pop type outlets) remained the principal retail channel for cigarettes. In fact, though it is not legal, many of these outlets also sell single sticks and often sell brands that are not available in modern grocery retailers. An example is the Fisher brand.
What next for tobacco?
Cigarette will register a further small decline over the forecast period, as smoking prevalence slowly falls. Also, younger consumers of under 18-years-of-age are not taking up smoking as much as before, and over the long term this will have a dampening effect. Instead, this demographic is more focused on e-vapour products.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Tobacco industry in Costa Rica 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 Costa Rica, 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 Costa Rica 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 Costa Rica?
- Which are the leading brands in Tobacco in Costa Rica?
- How are products distributed in Tobacco in Costa Rica?
- Which category is the most heavily taxed in Costa Rica?
- How is the operating environment for Tobacco changing?
- What are the current legislative restrictions applicable to the sale of Tobacco products in Costa Rica?
- 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 Costa Rica
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 Costa Rica
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Fall in volume sales, though increase in illicit sales
Phillip Morris International continues to dominate the competitive landscape
Small local independent grocers continue to drive sales
Slow but steady decline in smoking prevalence
CBD-infused products could provide growth opportunities
Flavoured cigarettes key focus
Taxation rates
Average cigarette pack price breakdown
Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco in Costa Rica
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Cigars sees uptick in sales thanks to tourism boost
Treinta y Ocho Dos continues to dominate
Specialised shops and tobacco specialists lead distribution
Positive outlook over forecast period
Focus and consumer interest shifting to locally manufactured cigars and cigarillos
Pairing opportunities could spark consumer interest
Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco in Costa Rica
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Recent rules take effect
Competitive landscape increasingly fragmented for e-vapour products
Specialist retailers dominate
Heated tobacco is poised to see stronger growth and further expansion
Uncertain future due to ban on synthetic nicotine
Increasing demand for CBD-infused e-vapour products
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?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders
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This report originates from Passport, our Tobacco research and analysis database.
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