Cigarettes (Global Market)

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2024: Global cigarette sales hit $1.14 trillion for the year

In 2024, the global cigarette market amounted to $1.14 trillion. Demand for these products on a global scale continues to grow steadily, as stated in the Research and Markets review, which Zdrav.Expert reviewed in mid-May 2025.

The study notes that leading tobacco companies are investing heavily in strategic marketing to create brand awareness, strengthen market positions and attract new smokers. Social and cultural factors have a significant impact on the development of the industry. This can be, for example, peer pressure and a desire to fit into certain groups of society.

As of early 2024, there were 1.25 billion adult tobacco users globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The largest proportion of smokers was recorded in the Southeast Asian region - 26.5% of the total population. In second place is the European region, where tobacco in one form or another is consumed by 25.3% of residents. In the WHO European Region (including countries in Europe, Central Asia and Israel), 179 million adults and 4 million adolescents aged 13-15 use tobacco. 18% of all non-communicable disease deaths are associated with tobacco use in this region.

The WHO stresses that the high prevalence of tobacco use is fueled by the powerful influence of the tobacco industry, aggressive marketing practices and gaps in anti-tobacco policies that undermine public health efforts. On the other hand, regulatory initiatives in some countries require cigarette manufacturers to list tar and nicotine content on product packages, leading some consumers to opt for "light" products.

Of the 1.25 billion tobacco smokers, it is estimated that about 80% live in low- and middle-income countries characterized by the most severe burden of disease and mortality. At the same time, tobacco use exacerbates poverty, since households spend part of the funds on cigarettes that could be used to meet basic needs such as food and housing. A study by Research and Markets says that social networks and various Internet communities act as catalysts to stimulate the spread of smoking among certain segments of the population.

That tobacco use is one of the leading causes of death and disability due to non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases is a well-recognized fact. Despite this, in many countries, policy measures in this area are not effective enough to protect people's health from tobacco use, "said WHO European Office spokesman Galen Galea.

Another market driver is product diversification. Tobacco companies offer a variety of alternatives to traditional cigarettes, including flavored products. E-cigarettes are also in high demand. Among the key players in the global market are:

• China National Tobacco Corporation;
• Philip Morris International;
• British American Tobacco;
• Japan Tobacco;
• Imperial Brands;
• Altria Group;
• PT Gudang Garam Tbk;
• Eastern Company SAE;
• KT&G Corp;
• ITC Limited.

Analysts at Global Market Insights believe that in the future, the CAGR in the global cigarette market will be 2.1%. As a result, by 2033, the volume of the industry may increase to $1.38 trillion.^[1]

2023: How much cigarettes cost around the world

The most expensive cigarettes for September 2023 will cost residents of Australia: $25 for a pack of 20 cigarettes. In Europe, cigarettes are already noticeably cheaper: the most expensive, about $16, a pack will cost residents of Ireland and Britain, and the Spaniards - already only $5.53.

One of the world leaders in the cheapness of cigarettes is Turkey with an average price tag of $1.42 per pack (cheaper only in Vietnam: $1.25). In Russia, cigarettes are also very low: $2.07 per pack.

2020: Global Cigarette Market Leaders

According to Euromonitor International UK, which was released in August 2021, the largest producer of tobacco and tobacco products in 2020 remained China Tobacco Company (CNTC), which accounted for 45.6% of sales (an increase of 1.5 percentage points by 2019). In second place is British American Tobacco with a share of 12.2%, which is 0.4 percentage points less than in 2019.

Philip Morris closed the top three, whose share in the cigarette market at the end of 2020 reached 12.1%, down 1 percentage point on an annualized basis. Japan Tobacco (8.8%) and Imperial Brands (3.7%) follow. The leading five accounted for 82.4% of the market, the volume of which at the end of 2020 decreased by 1.7%.

Share of tobacco products at the end of 2020

Analysts at Grand View Research estimated the global tobacco and tobacco market at $933.11 billion and believe that sales will grow by about 1.8% per year in 2028. Most of the market falls on cigarettes - more than 75% at the end of 2020.

Key trends in the tobacco market are the transition of consumers to alternative smoking devices and an increase in the share of illegal products. The authorities have developed norms for the circulation of electronic devices, but the issue of illegal trade in many countries, including Russia, remains unresolved.

According to WHO, by 2020, the 7.5 billion population Lands accounts for approximately 1 billion smokers. Every year, tobacco users smoke 5.7 billion cigarettes and throw away about 1 million tons of cigarette butts, according to analysts from the American initiative group The Tobacco Atlas. They cite facts that indicate that tons of cigarette butts are harmful not only to the environment, but also to people, because they consist of cellulose acetate, a product that is practically non-decomposable in natural conditions.^[2]

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