Cigarette production during the first half of the current Iranian year dropped 30% in terms of weight compared to last year’s similar period, says Mohammad Hossein Barkhordar, director general of Iranian Tobacco Company, adding that Iranians smoke 62 billion cigarettes a year.

According to the official, Iranian cigarette brands are fading away in the domestic market due to rampant smuggling of cheaper foreign brands. He says the ITC plans to hold talks with Marlboro for joint production in Iran, Eghtesad News reported.

By Financial Tribune