Imagine paying 50 pesos for a single cigarette or 1,500 pesos for a pack. This is the stark reality described by journalist Yuliet Pérez Calaña in a Facebook post that has struck a chord with Cubans both on the island and abroad.
From her home on the Isle of Youth, the journalist, known online as Yuliet PC, shared that "El Rolo has been unwillingly smoke-free for months because a cigarette costs 50 pesos or more." Despite offering him 1,500 pesos for a pack, Rolo refuses to spend such an exorbitant amount, stating, "He refuses to pay such an obscene price."
Rolo, she explains, resorts to eating sugar—"when it's available"—to curb his cravings. When he does get hold of a cigarette, he smokes only half and hides the rest among the stones in his porch, convinced that "worse times are coming, and we must save for then."
Pérez Calaña acknowledges the health risks associated with smoking. "I know cigarettes are harmful, that they essentially smoke you, that they're not essential, and that there are people worse off—those without food, water, or medicine. But why can't we have the basics and a little extra?" she pondered.
She further questioned, "Why can't a decent farmer, who spends his life working and helping others, enjoy a pack of cigarettes in peace? Why can't a good man even choose how he wants to die?"
The journalist concluded her post with a poignant question that resonates with many Cubans facing mounting hardships: "What is the point of life if, on top of everything we lack, we must also give up those small guilty pleasures?"
Responses to Pérez Calaña's post reveal a discontent that extends beyond tobacco. One user remarked, "All of life's simple pleasures, guilty or not, seem increasingly out of reach for those of us still living on the island; the joy of living feels almost unattainable."
Another highlighted the irony of cash availability: "At least you still have cash to burn on cigarettes. Every month, I pay retirees at the Bank of Faith, but we remain cashless."
A Cuban poetically noted, "Life is smoking us, rolled up like a homemade cigarette, crafted from scraps. Slowly."
The gap between official and real tobacco prices is staggering. According to Ministry of Finance and Prices Resolution 63/2024, a box of Populares cigarettes officially costs 30 pesos. However, on the informal market, prices can soar up to 20 times higher, with brands like H. Upmann fetching between 1,200 and 1,500 pesos, depending on the province.
The scarcity in state-run stores is nearly complete. A storekeeper in Havana reported that in August 2026, they only received cigarettes, in September, donated beans arrived, and by early October, no goods had been delivered.
The salary context makes the situation even more dire: the minimum wage in Cuba has been 3,210 pesos per month since July 2026, equivalent to about $4.65 at the informal exchange rate, covering just 3.3% of the basic basket estimated at 96,000 pesos monthly.
Buying a pack of cigarettes for 1,500 pesos consumes nearly half of this minimum monthly income.
Understanding the Impact of Cigarette Prices in Cuba
Why are cigarette prices in Cuba so high?
Cigarette prices in Cuba are skyrocketing due to severe shortages and a widening gap between official and informal market rates. The limited supply in state-run stores exacerbates the issue, forcing many to turn to the black market where prices can be up to 20 times higher.
How does the high cost of cigarettes affect Cubans?
The high cost of cigarettes places a significant financial burden on Cubans, many of whom live on a minimum wage that barely covers basic necessities. This forces individuals to choose between basic needs and small pleasures like smoking, adding to the daily hardships of life on the island.
What is the official price of cigarettes in Cuba?
According to the Ministry of Finance and Prices, the official price of a box of Populares cigarettes is 30 pesos. However, in the informal market, these prices are significantly higher, often reaching up to 1,500 pesos depending on the brand and province.