Estymator: Caro is the favorite in Poland, but many smokers stray

Although 50% of Poland's smokers have their favorite brand, they occasionally smoke other brands. In related news, cigarettes may be subject to another excise tax increase in the second half of the year, which manufacturers claim will cause a significant drop in sales. After last month's hike, sales decreased by 1 billion units, said Aleksandra Samulewicz of Philip Morris, who added that sales may drop by another 1.5 billion units in February. According to the Finance Ministry, manufacturers' financial fears are unfounded, as 92 billion cigarettes were sold last year, or 2 billion more than in 1996, according to Reemtsma data. (Zycie, page 14)