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.

Fifth Circuit Upholds FDA’s 2021 PMTA Rule, Citing Statutory Health-Study Requirements
Fifth Circuit Upholds FDA’s 2021 PMTA Rule, Citing Statutory Health-Study Requirements
A Fifth Circuit panel upheld the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 2021 final rule requiring companies seeking premarket authorization for new tobacco products to include information on health-risk investigations. In a published opinion, the court found FDA satisfied the Regulatory Flexibility Act’s procedural requirements and reasonably relied on the economic analysis from the 2016 “deeming rule” as a factual basis to certify limited impact on small businesses.
Feb.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Goyang City Urges Relevant Sellers to Apply for Tobacco Retailer Designation by April 23
Goyang City Urges Relevant Sellers to Apply for Tobacco Retailer Designation by April 23
Goyang Special City in South Korea said it has informed local sellers about the revised Tobacco Business Act, which will take effect on April 24, 2026, and urged them to apply for tobacco retailer designation.
Mar.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Indonesian vape retailers’ association tells members to halt sales to under-21 customers
Indonesian vape retailers’ association tells members to halt sales to under-21 customers
The Indonesian Vape Retailers Association (Arvindo) has instructed all member stores to stop selling electronic cigarettes to customers under 21. Arvindo said it issued an official circular requiring vape shops to display 21+ signage and to ask customers for valid identification.
Feb.26
China Caps E-Cigarette Capacity and Requires Export Compliance Proof to Curb “Involution”
China Caps E-Cigarette Capacity and Requires Export Compliance Proof to Curb “Involution”
China’s top tobacco regulator has issued a directive aimed at preventing excess capacity and curbing “involution-style” competition in the e-cigarette sector. The notice tightens investment controls, formalizes verified capacity management and requires exporters to submit compliance proof for destination markets, signaling a push toward higher industry concentration and stricter cross-border oversight.
Special Report
Feb.13
Philip Morris Limited Launches Delia to Expand IQOS Iluma Consumables Portfolio
Philip Morris Limited Launches Delia to Expand IQOS Iluma Consumables Portfolio
Philip Morris Limited has announced the launch of Delia, the latest addition to its portfolio of heated tobacco and zero-tobacco sticks exclusively compatible with the IQOS Iluma range.
Apr.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Sesh Launches 200-Pouch Refill Bag, Expanding Retail Unit Size in U.S. Nicotine Pouch Market
Sesh Launches 200-Pouch Refill Bag, Expanding Retail Unit Size in U.S. Nicotine Pouch Market
According to a LinkedIn post published by Sesh CMO Josh Metz on February 25, 2026, Sesh Products has introduced a 200-pouch nicotine pouch refill bag sold with a reusable metal can. In a U.S. MO market dominated by 20-pouch plastic cans, the product offers a larger retail unit size. The company lists a standard price of USD 49.99, with a uniform 15% discount currently applied, bringing the price to USD 42.49.
Innovation
Feb.25