Peru’s per capita cigarette consumption has fallen by 20 percent since 2006, due to stalling cigarette sales and changes in consumer habits, state news agency Andina reported.
“Compared to other countries, Peru’s cigarette consumption has gone totally flat… increasing only by 0.8 percent since last year,” said British American Tobacco’s Corporate and Legal Affairs Manager, Rafael Muente.
According to Muente, Peru’s population is growing steadily, while cigarette consumption has remained stable, or grown ever-slightly.
“According to market studies, young people aged 18 to 30 smoke less than adults aged 30 years or more, which is explained by a greater exposure to information,” and anti-smoking campaigns, said Muente in comments to Andina.
In Peru, less than 15 percent of the adult population smokes. A person is considered a smoker when he or she consumes between 5 and 7 cigarettes per week.
“Peru has the smallest cigarette consumption in Latin America, and even the world,” said Muente.
In Chile, smokers consume an average of 9 cigarettes per week, and the market is 6 times more important than in Peru. Latin America’s greatest cigarette consumers are Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Bolivia.
