Russian Tobacco Market Shifts in 2023: Cigars Gain Ground as Prices Rise Across Nicotine Products
Retail data from mid-2023 show a notable shift in smoking preferences among Russians. Cigar sales rose rapidly in the July to September period, climbing by more than one hundred percent in volume compared with the previous year. Analysts cited the RBC dataset alongside work from the Center for the Development of Advanced Technologies and the National Center for Scientific Competence in Fighting Illegal Trade in Industrial Goods as the basis for this observation.
During the same quarter, more common tobacco products did not expand as much. Sales of cigarettes and cigarettes grew only modestly, by about four percent, while hookah tobacco posted a smaller gain of around six percent. These figures suggest a relative move away from traditional cigarettes toward alternative products, influenced in part by shifting consumer preferences and market dynamics.
One factor behind the broader change appears to be price divergence among tobacco and nicotine products. As other categories saw price increases, demand leaned toward cigars and cigarillos in relative terms. In the measured period, prices for cigarettes and cigarettes rose by roughly ten percent year over year, and hookah tobacco prices increased by about six percent. The average cost of a pack of cigarettes rose to roughly 168 rubles, while a pack of cigarettes averaged around 211 rubles. Hookah tobacco reached about 204 rubles per pack, and heated tobacco sticks cost about 173 rubles per unit, reflecting a roughly five and a half percent annual rise. These price dynamics likely nudged consumers toward alternatives perceived as offering better value or different usage experiences. (Source: RBC and affiliated research centers)
Conversely, the price of cigars trended downward, with a roughly thirteen percent drop on average, settling near 260 rubles per pack. Industry commentator Evgeny Fedotov of Fedotov Group observed that cigars often have a more natural composition relative to other nicotine-containing products, which may influence consumer choices in this segment. (Attribution: Fedotov Group insights cited in industry reports)
Market monitoring during July through September 2023 also noted a decline in the adoption of electronic tobacco heating systems, with active buyers down by around nineteen percent from the prior year. The rate of continued usage saw only a marginal uptick, increasing by about one percent. These findings appear in analyses published by social media and trade information portals, with commentary from observers across the sector. (Source references include Socialbites and Control Index platform reports)
Earlier coverage had flagged additional shifts in consumer behavior, including a tendency toward faster food purchases among Russians during similar timeframes. While related in the sense of evolving consumer patterns, this note underscores broader changes in spending and lifestyle choices that intersect with tobacco and related markets. (Contextual industry observations cited in market briefs)