Smoking Issues in Cyprus: MARC Releases Fresh Report

The MARC agency has published a new study highlighting public disapproval of purchasing cigarettes in the occupied territories. In the free areas, the share of smokers remains steady, but consumers increasingly choose alternative tobacco products, reports Sigmalive citing the report.

No to smuggling! The survey was conducted on behalf of Philip Morris Cyprus. Most Cypriots disapprove of buying tobacco in the TRNC or smuggling from occupied territories. Overall opinion: such buyers are unreasonable and contribute to economic and social issues in the tobacco market.

The results, titled "Smoking Habits, Problems, and the Day After Tomorrow," were presented in Nicosia. Speakers included MARC S.A. president Thomas Gerakis and Philip Morris Cyprus & Malta CEO Grigoris Kaberis.

One in three smokes, but fewer cigarettes. Currently, 32% of adults are smokers — almost the same as in 2022. Daily smokers are 21.6%, occasional smokers 10.4%, and former smokers 23.7%. The average number of cigarettes per person per day decreased from 15 in 2023 to 13 in 2025.

Alternatives gaining ground. Vape and e-cigarette users rose to 21.1% (from 16.2% in 2022). 54.4% of smokers choose heated tobacco devices (IQOS, Glo), 18.3% liquid e-cigarettes, 15.9% disposable, 8.9% capsule-based, 0.6% nicotine pouches (first time in the sample).

Kaberis noted: pouches are already legal in 14 EU countries and over 45 others, but unregulated in Cyprus — urgent consumer protection measures are needed.

Smokers want information. Only 22% consider themselves well-informed about alternatives, 37.4% know almost nothing. Most demand clear data on price, characteristics, and health impact. “Informing is a public health issue, not advertising,” emphasized Kaberis.

Illegal trade remains critical. 80.4% never bought cigarettes from occupied territories, 19.6% have at least once. 65.5% consider anti-smuggling measures insufficient. Main consequences: unknown quality access (27.8%), loss of state revenue (18.3%), rise in organized crime (15.3%), unfair competition (12.4%). Over 60% condemn such buyers as selfish, harming the country. Only 11.4% see them as reasonable consumers, 27.6% neutral.

Taxes and risks. Cyprus is the only divided European country with tens of kilometers of lightly guarded buffer zone, easing smuggling. “Sharp tax hikes will boost illegal trade,” warned Kaberis, urging differentiated taxation based on harm. 61.4% believe purchases in the TRNC will rise if taxes increase. 48.7% support harm-based taxes.

Six key takeaways:

• Three in ten Cypriots smoke.
• Two in ten use alternatives.
• Eight in ten do not buy from occupied areas.
• Seven in ten see weak control.
• Six in ten support harm-based taxes.
• Priority — regulation of new products.