Number of smokers in Croatia significantly on the rise

A new study from January this year shows that the number of smokers in Croatia is increasing, Danica.hr reported.

According to the research, 37 percent of people used tobacco products in January, a notable 4 percentage points higher than in the same month two years ago.

This means the number of tobacco users has grown by 12 percent in just two years.

The study was carried out by JA Trgovac magazine and Hendal, a respected global market research agency. Their latest figures reveal that 74 percent of all tobacco users smoke cigarettes, marking a 6 percent increase compared to January 2023.

Two years ago, one in three adults in Croatia was a smoker; today, that figure is even higher.

Around 20 percent of tobacco users spend about 140 euros on cigarettes each month, which averages out to roughly 4.5 euros per day.

Hrvatski Duhani, a company from Virovitica that, along with the Rovinj Tobacco Factory, is owned by the global giant BAT, purchased over 4,500 tonnes of tobacco last year from 250 growers in the Podravina and Slavonia regions.

This is a striking 41 percent more than two years earlier.

Hrvatski Duhani told JA Trgovac magazine that they paid tobacco producers over 20 million euros last year. They say more and more farmers are turning to this crop because the purchase price has risen noticeably.

Why is smoking popular in Croatia? Read here.