Key Cigar Statistics on Sales, Imports, and Consumer Behavior

The cigar industry is undergoing major shifts, driven by economics, global trade, and evolving consumer preferences. Factors such as federal tax policy, flavored product availability, and youth access to retail outlets continue to influence use patterns.

This report breaks down the numbers behind sales growth, import changes, and consumer behavior, revealing where the market is rising and what manufacturers and retailers need to watch next.

Market Growth, Imports, and Revenue Projections

Cigar sales and imports have fluctuated in recent years, showing dynamic trends across product categories. Look at the latest growth patterns, shifting import volumes, and long-term sales forecasts:

• Projected revenues for non-premium cigars are estimated at approximately $5.3 billion in 2025, decreasing to $5 billion by 2034, $4.4 billion in 2044, and around $3.9 billion by 2054. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration survey)
• In 2024, imports of large cigars decreased by 1.7% from 2023, amounting to approximately 8.26 billion units. (Cigar Association of America report)
• Cigar sales have risen from around 6.2 billion in 2000 to over 14 billion by 2019. (Federal Register report)
• In 2024, total imports of cigar leaf tobacco decreased by 7.6%, falling by 1.4 million kilograms to 16.9 million kilograms. (Cigar Association of America report)
• In 2024, premium cigar imports reached 430 million, reflecting a 0.9% increase from 2023. (Cigar Association of America report)

Sales & Consumption Volumes

Source: National Library of Medicine (2022)

Cigar consumption hit historic highs in recent years, with widespread tobacco (a primary substance in cigars) use globally. See global usage levels and rising sales volumes across leading export regions: 

• Between 2016 and 2020, monthly cigarillo sales rose from 131 million to 190 million, while large cigar sales dropped from about 7 million to 5 million. Little cigar sales fell from approximately 5.6 million to 5.0 million. Overall, total cigar sales rose from 144 million to 195 million. (National Library of Medicine study)
• Cigar sales reached an all-time high in 2021, with a total volume of 15.25 billion units. (Cigar Association of America report)
• It is estimated that around 1.3 billion individuals across the globe use tobacco products. (World Cancer Report)
• In 2024, Nicaragua was the top cigar exporter to the U.S. with 253,083 units, a 2.8% increase from 2023 (Cigar Association of America report)

Cigar Production & Agriculture

Tobacco production is highly concentrated in a few countries, with the U.S., China, and India leading global output. See how global tobacco cultivation is concentrated and where the U.S. ranks today:

• In 2021, the United States was the world’s fifth-largest tobacco producer, preceded by China, India, Brazil, and Indonesia. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report)
• U.S. tobacco production makes up only 0.004% of the national gross domestic product. (Food and Environment Reporting Network report)
• Brazil, China, India, and the United States grow 75% of the world’s tobacco. (World Bank report)
• U.S. tobacco production has dropped by 46.1% since 2002, reaching 432.4 million pounds harvested in 2023. (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids report)

Demographics & Usage

Cigar use trends are closely tied to demographic factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, and the age of initiation.. Discover how cigar smoking habits differ across population groups:

• Approximately 13 out of every 100 men smoke cigars and cigarettes, while the figure is around 10 out of 100 for women. (2022 National Health Interview Survey)
• Among women of reproductive age who smoke cigars, 5% reported favoring premium cigar brands. (Nicotine & Tobacco Research study)
• In 2021, approximately 46 million adults in the U.S., about 18.7% of the population, reported current use of at least one tobacco product. This included 11.5% using cigarettes, 4.5% using e-cigarettes, 3.5% using cigars, 2.1% using smokeless tobacco, and 0.9% using pipes or hookahs. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report)
• Tobacco consumption varies by age group. 17 percent of individuals between 18 and 24, 22.1 percent of those aged 25 to 44, 21.1 percent among 45 to 64, and 11 percent of people aged 65 and over. (National Library of Medicine report)
• Almost 90% of adult tobacco users began using it before they turned 18. (American Cancer Society report)
• In 2024, about 1 out of every 67 high school students reported using cigars at least once in the past month, representing roughly 1.5% of the student population. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey)
• Cigar smoking is higher among Black (6%) and white (4%) individuals compared to Hispanic (3%) and Asian (1%) populations. (American Lung Association report)
• About 0.7% to 0.9% of adults in the United States are premium cigar smokers. (Nicotine & Tobacco Research study)    

Consumer Behavior & Preferences

Source: Nicotine & Tobacco Research (2023)

Flavored products dominate youth preference, while convenience stores remain the top point of purchase for most consumers. Look into the types, flavors, and buying patterns driving youth and adult cigar consumption:

• From 2010 to 2019, non-premium cigar use among women of reproductive age consistently ranged between 93% and 97%, while premium cigar use remained low, ranging from approximately 4.7% to 6.6%. (Nicotine & Tobacco Research study)
• Nearly 91% of cigar purchases occur in convenience stores and gas stations, locations commonly frequented by young individuals. (American Lung Association report)
• Between 2009 and 2020, the percentage of flavored cigars grew from 45% to 53.3%. In 2020, the leading flavor categories sold in these outlets included sweet or candy (30.6%), fruit (29.5%), concept-based flavors (21.4%), and wine (9%). (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids report)
• In 2020, cigarillos were the most common cigars among high school students, smoked at 44.1%, with regular cigars at 33.1% and little cigars at 22.6%; 21.8% were unsure of the type. (American Journal of Preventive Medicine study)
• Between 2010 and 2020, for every little cigar purchased, approximately 15 large cigars were sold. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report)
• More than two-thirds of adult cigar users indicated they would spend more on cigars if prices rose. (National Library of Medicine study)
• Large cigars often exceed 7 inches long and usually hold between 5 and 20 grams of tobacco. (National Cancer Institute report)
• Around 500,000 U.S. students were reported to be cigar users in 2022. (American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network report)

Taxation

Taxation policies create substantial differences in cigar pricing across the U.S., particularly between premium and small cigars. Discover how taxation levels impact large and small cigar purchases nationwide:

• Every large cigar is federally taxed at a rate of 52.75%, with a maximum limit of $0.4026 per cigar. (Tax Foundation report)
• Small cigars are taxed at the same federal rate as cigarettes, $50.33 for every 1,000 cigars, which equals $1.01 for a 20-pack. (Truth Initiative report)
• Utah imposes the highest premium cigar tax at 86%, with New York and Colorado following at 75% and 56%, respectively. (Tax Foundation report)

Stay Ahead with Key Market Trends Shaping the Cigar Industry

Cigar trends reveal a complex market shaped by shifting imports, changing demographics, consumer tastes, and taxes. As product preferences and buying habits change, industry players must adapt to regional demands, pricing pressures, and a competitive supply chain.

Understanding these forces is key for stakeholders who want to stand out in a market with changing tastes and economic pressures.

References

Tobacco Product Standard for Nicotine Yield of Cigarettes and Certain Other Combusted Tobacco Products. (n.d.). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/media/185035/download 

Cigar Imports 2024: Premiums Steady, Total Volume Eases. (n.d.). Cigar Association of America. https://cigarsusa.org/2024-caa-year-end-import-report/ 

Barclay, L., & Agaku, I. T. (2022, July 28). 20-Year Trends in Tobacco Sales and Self-Reported Tobacco Use in the United States, 2000–2020. CDC. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2022/21_0435.htm 

Murrell, D. (2024, February 15). Growing tobacco in the United States no longer makes sense. Food and Environment Reporting Network. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://thefern.org/2024/02/growing-tobacco-in-the-united-states-no-longer-makes-sense/ 

World Bank. (n.d.). Tobacco Excise Taxes and Tobacco Leaf Farming— Key Considerations. https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/a95559bf187f64dba0346d973d16f991-0350012023/original/KN3-Health-tax-Farming.pdf 

Nicotine Addiction and Smoking: Health Effects and Interventions - StatPearls. (n.d.). NCBI. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537066/ 

Why People Start Using Tobacco, and Why It's Hard to Stop. (2024, November 19). American Cancer Society. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco/guide-quitting-smoking/why-people-start-using-tobacco.html 

Premium and Non-Premium Cigar Use Among a Nationally Representative Sample of Reproductive Age Women: Findings from the 2010–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. (n.d.). Nicotine & Tobacco Research. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10380180/ 

Tobacco products - World Cancer Report. (n.d.). NCBI. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK606465/# 

Cigars & Flavored Cigars What schools should know. (n.d.). (American Lung Association. https://www.lung.org/getmedia/864a8e5b-674f-4637-acf7-dd33b7fb5ebe/Flavored_Schools 

FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS ATTRACT KIDS. (n.d.). Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://assets.tobaccofreekids.org/factsheets/0383.pdf 

Characteristics of Past 30–Day Cigar Smoking, U.S. Adolescents, 2020. (n.d.). (American Journal of Preventive Medicine. https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(21)00405-0/abstract 

Premium Cigar Taxes by State, 2024. (2024, November 7). Tax Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/premium-cigar-taxes-by-state-2024/