Global tobacco market: leading companies 2023, based on net sales

With just over 31.80 billion U.S. dollars in sales, Philip Morris International was the leader among tobacco companies around the world in 2023. The company, head-quartered in New York, sells its products in over 180 countries. Its most recognizable brand, launched in 1904, is Marlboro. The company was followed by British American Tobacco, makers of Camel, Lucky Strike, and Newport cigarettes. Imperial Tobacco, makers of Kool, and Winston cigarettes, came in third.

Altria restructuring

Despite having the most recognizable American cigarette brand, Philip Morris International does not sell cigarettes in the United States. In 2007, Altria Group (formerly Philip Morris Companies Inc.), spun off its international segments into the independent entity Philip Morris International.

The trend in smoking

Global cigarette consumption, which peaked in 2009, has been on a downward trend since then as more and more consumers are aware of the health risks associated with smoking. Sales of Philip Morris cigarettes have likewise been declining, dipping over 30 percent in the last 10 years. In spite of a trend which is troubling for a company that produces tobacco products, revenues of Philip Morris have remained somewhat stable over that time period.