Asia Pacific

Cigarettes continued to dominate tobacco in Uzbekistan at the end of the review period. However, in 2023, cigarettes saw a decline in legal retail volume sales, compared to the previous year. Despite the increase in smoking prevalence, which was…

Overall, it was a mixed picture for tobacco in Pakistan in 2023.

There was continued double-digit constant value growth for e-vaping in Pakistan in 2023. Its consumer base was made up of people looking to quit smoking, as well as younger consumers, mainly under 20 years of age, who often have never smoked and…

Smokeless tobacco, e-vapour products and heated tobacco in Uzbekistan continued to see development at the end of the review period. E-vapour products, a new category in Uzbekistan created in the early review period, gradually emerged and gained…

Within cigars, cigarillos and smoking tobacco in Uzbekistan, pipe tobacco remained the only significant category at the end of the review period. Smoking a pipe remains a very common and traditional activity in Uzbekistan. Despite government…

In Pakistan, cigars remained the most popular product within cigars, cigarillos and smoking tobacco, with value sales for the three latter products being negligible. That being said, volume sales are also low for cigars, though cigars registered…

In 2023, cigarettes in Uzbekistan witnessed significant developments. Total smoking prevalence in terms of cigarettes rose in 2022-2023. This was due to a significant increase in smoking prevalence among adult males, as the rate among adult females…

In 2023, volume sales for cigarettes in Pakistan fell by over a quarter. This was due to significant tax hikes, with the sales tax increasing to 18%, from 17% and the Federal Excise Duty increasing by 146%. At the same time as these significant tax…

In 2023, Sri Lanka's tobacco sector faced substantial challenges due to significant price hikes for cigarettes amid economic recession and import restrictions. These factors led to a marked decline in smoking rates, especially among lower…

Positive growth was seen in tobacco in Myanmar in 2023 as official retail volume sales of cigarettes continued to rise. However, much tobacco use stems from informal sales of betel quids and hand-rolled cheroots, as well as illicit sales of smuggled…

In 2023, cigarettes faced intense competition from e-vapour products as younger adults of legal smoking age switched to the latter, which they perceived as more affordable, with lower nicotine levels and a variety of flavour options available across…

Heated tobacco products saw solid current value growth and moderate retail volume growth in 2023. Compared with cigarettes, the competitive price of heated tobacco benefits the category. In addition, wider availability in convenience stores,…

The continuous pressure of inflation and a weakening of the local currency against the US dollar has increased prices across the category, slowing the post-pandemic retail volume recovery of cigars, cigarillos and smoking tobacco. Local consumers…

Overall, economy and premium cigarettes gained retail volume share at the expense of mid-priced brands in 2023. The main reason for this trend was high inflation, which drove up living costs and increased cigarette prices. British American Tobacco…

In 2023, legal cigarettes saw a significant decline in volume sales in Indonesia. The Indonesian Government increased the tobacco excise tax (CHT) rate by an average of 10% for cigarettes, 15% for electronic cigarettes and 6% for any other processed…

E-vapour products recorded another year of strong double-digit current value growth in Indonesia in 2023. The strong growth of e-vapour products in the country was supported by both established brands and new players entering the market, driving the…

Cigars and cigarillos saw volume sales increase in Indonesia in 2023, while smoking tobacco witnessed a dramatic rise in volumes during the year. Cigars and cigarillos are expected to remain a niche interest, particularly as they are unappealing to…

Cigarettes saw volume sales decline in Indonesia in 2023. Retail volume sales of legal cigarettes in Indonesia have experienced fluctuation in recent years, with a significant fall in the final year of the review period. While legal cigarette volumes…

Retail volume sales of tobacco in Hong Kong continued to strongly decline in 2023. Strong tobacco control measures and legislation introduced by the local government have resulted in a highly saturated and mature market. The government introduced yet…

Demand for cigars in Hong Kong marginally improved in 2023, supporting sales through offline distribution channels in line with the waning impact of the pandemic. One notable development was the opening of cigar shops in the Tsim Sha Tsui East…