In Kazakhstan, the volume of tobacco production has risen sharply, but the share of smokers in the country has dropped to 15%. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Energyprom.kz.
In January-June 2026, the country produced 14.2 billion cigars, cheroots, cigarillos, tobacco, and papirosy. This is 35.2% more than in the same period last year. In January-June 2024, production volume was 7.6 billion units, and in 2025 it reached 10.5 billion units. Compared to the same period in 2016, production increased by 69%.
In January-May 2026, Kazakh factories met 89.9% of demand for tobacco and papirosy (including domestic sales and exports). A year earlier, this figure was 73.5%. Most of the products were exported. In January-May 2026, 6.7 billion units of tobacco and papirosy were shipped abroad. This is 3.7 times more than last year. Domestic sales, on the other hand, fell by 39.9% to 5.8 billion units.
"Despite the increase in production, the share of smokers in Kazakhstan is declining. According to 2026 data, 15.1% of the population aged 15 and older smoke. In 2025, this figure was 17.5%, in 2024 – 20.7%, in 2023 – 19.4%," the portal wrote.
The share of e-cigarette users fell from 0.5% to 0.4% over the year. Heated tobacco systems such as IQOS and glo are used by 0.9% of the population. Last year, this figure was 1.2%.
The share of smokers was calculated based on a sample survey of 12,000 households in all regions of Kazakhstan. One person aged 15 and older from each household participated in the survey.
"Today, 30.5% of men and 4.9% of women smoke. In 2025, these figures were 34% and 5%, respectively, and in 2024 – 39.8% and 7.6%," experts say.
E-cigarettes are used by 0.5% of men and 0.3% of women. IQOS and glo systems are used by 1.3% of men and 0.6% of women. These figures also decreased compared to last year.
In June 2026, the price of filter cigarettes fell by 0.1% in one month. In May, the price did not change, in April it rose by 0.3%, in March by 0.2%. The highest monthly increase this year was recorded in February at 4.7%.
The annual rate of tobacco price growth has been slowing for the fourth consecutive year. In June 2022, tobacco prices were 18.5% higher than a year earlier, in 2023 – 17.3%, in 2024 – 15.8%, in 2025 – 13.9%.
Thus, despite a record increase in tobacco production, domestic sales did not increase. On the contrary, demand for tobacco within the country is declining. Therefore, manufacturers export most of their products. In the future, production growth will directly depend on export volumes and demand in foreign markets.