Tobacco sales in China have fallen for the first time in two decades as the Beijing Government's health drive and the rise in excise taxes take effect. Plain packaging: Historically, China bucked the trend in falling tobacco volumes, however, its consumption has dropped 2.4%, the equivalent of around 60bn cigarettes, bringing down global volumes. The Chinese government is also trying to curb smoking by introducing a tax on cigarettes that will raise about $400m (£264m) over five years.
Tobacco sales in China have fallen for the first time in two decades as the Beijing Government's health drive and the rise in excise taxes take effect. Historically, China bucked the trend in falling tobacco volumes, however, its consumption has dropped 2.4%, the equivalent of around 60bn cigarettes, bringing down global volumes. The Chinese government is also trying to curb smoking by introducing a tax on cigarettes that will raise about $400m (£264m) over five years.