Domestic cigarette sales dropped by 1.7 per cent in 1996 to 15.24 billion units

Sales of cigars increased by 0.6 per cent and loose tobacco sales dropped by 2.8 per cent. However, export sales of Swiss cigarettes, worth SFr 430 million (US$ 291.43 million) increased 2.6 per cent in 1996, accounting for 64 per cent of the cigarettes produced in Switzerland. The most growth in sales of Swiss cigarettes occurred in eastern European and Asian markets.
Philip Morris is market leader with 45.06 per cent market share, followed by Burrus with 21.77 per cent, BAT with 19.37 per cent, RJR with 9.11 per cent, and Sullana with 4.15 per cent. Tax on cigarettes is lower than the European average but is still 55 per cent.