2023 saw demand for tobacco continue to rise, despite the impact of Lebanon’s ongoing socioeconomic crisis. Cigarettes are seen as an affordable luxury, with the low prices charged for local brand Cedars a crucial factor in the category’s enduring popularity.
Smoking prevalence remains very high in Lebanon and appears to be rising, having been estimated at 38% in 2019, a figure which had risen to 46% by 2021. This can be attributed at least partially to the pressures and challenges cause by the socioeconomic crisis and the absence of official public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing smoking prevalence.
Demand for tobacco is rising as the industry continues to benefit from various factors, not least the rising numbers of Syrian refugees living in Lebanon, many of whom smoke cigarettes and/or water pipes. Another key factor to consider is the high numbers of inbound tourist arrivals that Lebanon receives every year, the vast majority of whom are Lebanese expatriates that are returning home for a visit.
2023 saw a partial recovery of consumer spending in Lebanon as the deep and seemingly intractable social economic crisis that has plagued the country in recent years began to ease. The substantial devaluation of the Lebanese pound had been a major concern for all local consumers and businesses between 2019 and 2022, with exchange rate anomalies emerging as the black market rate ballooned from LBP1,500 per USD1 pre-2019 to hit LBP43,000 per USD1 in December 2022 and then exceed LBP80,000 per USD1 in February 2023 as the new exchange rate system came into force.
The partial recovery of Lebanon’s economy that was seen in 2023 is due largely to growth and recovery in the private sector. The public sector meanwhile remains in the doldrums as public spending remains very low due to the government of Lebanon being in effect bankrupt, with the situation deteriorating towards the end of the review period.
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Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:
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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 DefinitionsThis report originates from Passport, our Tobacco research and analysis database.
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