Tobacco in 2024: The big picture
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 leading some people to quit, and the switch by some consumers to the convenience and flavour options of cigarettes.
2024 key trends
The staggered tax rises in the past two years led some consumers to reduce their discretionary spending by lowering their consumption of tobacco, especially cigarettes and smoking tobacco. Cigarettes continued to be the main category in tobacco due to habit persistence amongst consumers, and the restrictions on e-vapour products and heated tobacco. Meanwhile, the continuous expansion of no smoking zones further contributed to reducing the consumption of cigarettes, with smoking prevalence dropping to 13% in 2024.
Competitive landscape
With cigarettes being dominant within tobacco in Singapore, it was companies in this category which continued to lead overall tobacco in 2024. Tobacco continued to be dominated by three major multinational players in retail volume terms in 2024 – Philip Morris Singapore Pte Ltd, JT International (Singapore) Pte Ltd, and British American Tobacco (Singapore) Pte Ltd, which together accounted for over 90% of sales. These companies maintain their stronghold due to their extensive distribution networks and large consumer base.
Retail developments
In Singapore, the distribution of tobacco is heavily regulated, requiring licenses for various activities, like importation, wholesale, distribution, and retail. For cigarettes, the main channels are hospitality, small local grocers, and convenience retailers. These channels are widely available and accessible to consumers everywhere. Meanwhile, tobacco specialists and cigar lounges (hospitality) remain key distribution channels for cigars in Singapore, catering to a niche but affluent consumer base seeking premium and rare cigar brands. Cigar smokers appreciate the tactile, experiential nature of purchasing cigars in such outlets. Cigar lounges within integrated resorts, luxury hotels, and stand-alone venues have expanded their offerings and improved the ambiance to cater to affluent locals and tourists.
What next for tobacco?
Retail volume sales of tobacco are set to continue to decline over the forecast period, with legal sales expected to fall in all categories. With the government’s steady approach to a smoke-free nation, the consumption of tobacco is expected to decline over the forecast period. The government constantly reviews regulations, including taxation, dedicated smoking areas, and no smoking zones, and is also still continuously reviewing the possibility of applying a generational ban in the country, which is seen to be a long-term solution to curbing smoking.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Tobacco industry in Singapore 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 Singapore, 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 Singapore 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 Singapore?
- Which are the leading brands in Tobacco in Singapore?
- How are products distributed in Tobacco in Singapore?
- Which category is the most heavily taxed in Singapore?
- How is the operating environment for Tobacco changing?
- What are the current legislative restrictions applicable to the sale of Tobacco products in Singapore?
- 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 Singapore
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 Singapore
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Price rises and regulation contribute to continued decline
Philip Morris maintains its lead and extends its share
Government heavily regulates distribution and extends no smoking zones
Continued decline due to regulation and changing attitudes
Support for quitting smoking set to help reduce smoking prevalence and sales
Competition from alternative tobacco products
Taxation rates
Average cigarette pack price breakdown
Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco in Singapore
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Cigars and cigarillos returns to growth, but smoking tobacco is less successful
Players focus on cigar lounges for success
Tobacco specialists continues to dominate cigars and cigarillos
Strong sales of cigars and cigarillos to be maintained despite a slight decline due to the competition
A potential move to more premium products in cigars
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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