India’s total cigarette production is valued at '22,000 crore, of which 12 per cent is exported.
The cigarette market is dominated four key players — ITC, Godfrey Phillips, VST and GTC.
ITC is the market leader with a 60 per cent share
Cigarette sales in the country saw a drop in 2009 over 2008 due to high excise duties and other taxes.
The government has banned foreign direct investment in cigarette manufacturing for domestic consumption or exports, closing the doors for companies like Japan Tobacco, BAT and so on.