US Tobacco Sales See First Increase in 20 Years

Jul.18.2022
US tobacco sales increase for the first time in 20 years, raising concerns about COVID-19 and smoking.

The latest data from the US government reveals that sales of both cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products saw their first increase in 20 years last year, sparking concerns that the pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic may have led to a rise in the number of smokers. This growth comes after a continued decline in the sales of addictive and cancer-causing cigarette products, as part of several government-led anti-smoking campaigns.


According to the annual report released by the Federal Trade Commission, in 2020, the largest cigarette manufacturer in the United States provided wholesalers and retailers with approximately 203.7 billion cigarettes, an increase of approximately 800 million from 2019. According to an FTC report, sales of non-combustible tobacco products such as chewing tobacco also slightly increased to $126.9 million.


The data from the Federal Trade Commission does not include electronic cigarettes - aerosol-based vaporizers. In mid-February, the FTC issued a subpoena for electronic cigarette sales data, but has not yet released any information regarding the data.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Philip Morris Japan Launches New TEREA “Stellar Pearl,” Featuring Mint and Yellow Citrus Notes
Philip Morris Japan Launches New TEREA “Stellar Pearl,” Featuring Mint and Yellow Citrus Notes
Philip Morris Japan announced the launch of a new TEREA heated tobacco stick for the IQOS ILUMA series, “TEREA Stellar Pearl,” featuring a crushable capsule mint profile. The product will go on sale in Japan through offline retail channels from Jan. 19 and will be rolled out on the company’s official e-commerce store from Jan. 29, priced at 580 yen (about $3.6) per pack.
Jan.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
China’s Nov. Vape Exports to U.S. Hold at $549 Million, Sustaining High After October’s $591 Million Peak
China’s Nov. Vape Exports to U.S. Hold at $549 Million, Sustaining High After October’s $591 Million Peak
China’s Nov. vape exports to the U.S. held at $549 million, following October’s $591 million record. 2025 YTD exports reached $3.72 billion, officially eclipsing 2024’s full-year total. This $1.14 billion 60-day surge signals a critical inventory overhang, heightening financial and regulatory risks for manufacturers.
Dec.22
KT&G Q4 and Full-Year 2025 Results: Global CC Strongest, NGP Penetration Expands
KT&G Q4 and Full-Year 2025 Results: Global CC Strongest, NGP Penetration Expands
According to KT&G’s official website (Feb 5, 2026), KT&G released its 2025 fourth-quarter and full-year results. Driven by strong growth in its overseas cigarette business and a rebound in its real estate business, the company posted double-digit increases in both revenue and operating profit, reaching record-high performance.
Feb.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Kazakhstan Investigates Social-Media Vape Sales Linked to a Banking “Drop” Arrangement
Kazakhstan Investigates Social-Media Vape Sales Linked to a Banking “Drop” Arrangement
Kazakhstan’s Financial Monitoring Agency (AFM) in Ulytau Region is conducting a pre-trial investigation into alleged illegal vape sales and the unlawful acquisition of access to a bank account. Authorities say a Satpayev resident has sold banned devices via social media since 2024 and used a “dropper” arrangement to disguise proceeds.
Jan.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
California DOJ publishes first-ever Unflavored Tobacco List; products not on the list are ineligible for sale
California DOJ publishes first-ever Unflavored Tobacco List; products not on the list are ineligible for sale
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the publication of the first-ever Unflavored Tobacco List (UTL), listing unflavored tobacco products lawful for sale under California’s flavored tobacco restrictions. Any covered tobacco product not appearing on the UTL is deemed a flavored tobacco product and ineligible for sale.
Jan.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
China’s Tobacco Regulator Moves to Introduce Credit Management Framework for E-Cigarette Manufacturers, Greater Transparency May Improve International Assessability of China’s Supply Chain
China’s Tobacco Regulator Moves to Introduce Credit Management Framework for E-Cigarette Manufacturers, Greater Transparency May Improve International Assessability of China’s Supply Chain
China’s tobacco regulator has moved to introduce a credit management framework for e-cigarette manufacturers, outlining a system that links compliance records to regulatory oversight. The proposal forms part of a broader push to institutionalize supervision and improve transparency across China’s e-cigarette supply chain.
Jan.05