There’s reason to believe that this will only be a one-year blip, as the volume of cigarette sales fell 9.4 percent in a month-long period ending October 9.
The maker of Marlboros, the Altria Group, has cited the pandemic as behind the increase.
Chief Executive Billy Gifford said Americans spent less money on travel, gas and entertainment last year and that fewer social engagements but that led to more 'tobacco-use occasions.'
Other reasons could include a decrease in vaping, as some may have learned about a mysterious lung illness that was linked to marijuana vaping products. That may have led people to return to regular cigarettes.
Bans on flavored vaping and e-cigarette taxes may have also saw the return to more cigarette smoking, according to industry experts.
Advertising on smokes also increased in 2020. Companies spent $7.84 billion, 88.5 percent of it on price discounts, in 2020, up 2.9 percent from $7.62 billion in 2019.
Smoking wasn't the only vice to see business increase in 2020. Liquor sales also went up, while smokeless tobacco - which includes chewing and dipping - sales rose to $4.82 billion from $4.53 billion in 2019.
The volume of smokeless tobacco products sold also increased to 126.9 million pounds from 126.0 million pounds in 2019, according to the 2020 Smokeless Tobacco Report.
The United States is the fourth largest tobacco-producing country in the world, following China, India, and Brazil. In 2018, two states – North Carolina and Kentucky – accounted for more than 70% of total tobacco cultivation.
The maker of Marlboros, the Altria Group, has cited the pandemic as behind the increase. Chief Executive Billy Gifford said Americans spent less money on travel, gas and entertainment and had fewer social outings, but that led to more 'tobacco-use occasions'
The United States is the fourth largest tobacco-producing country in the world, following China, India and Brazil
While the numbers increased in 2020, there could be bumps ahead, as the Biden administration announced its intent to ban menthol cigarettes in April
However, while the numbers increased in 2020, there may be problems lying ahead as the Biden
