The cities of Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain are witnessing a widespread proliferation of tobacco trade, both local and smuggled, amid weak oversight and the absence of market regulation laws, which has made this trade a primary source of income for many traders and vendors.
The types of cigarettes available in the markets range from locally produced brands coming from areas under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to foreign smuggled varieties transported via smuggling routes from Turkey and vice versa, and they are often priced lower than those available in regulated markets.
In shops and stalls
It is hard to find a main street without a shop or a stall dedicated to selling cigarettes; the number of such stores in the two cities, not including rural areas, exceeds 75, according to an Enab Baladi correspondent’s observations.
On a small stall in the Tal Abyad market, Azeddin al-Azzo (35 years old) displays cigarette packs to provide for his family of six.
Despite holding a degree in mechanical engineering, he has been unlucky in finding a job in his field due to a lack of employment opportunities in the city.
Al-Azzo began his cigarette-selling venture in 2020 on a trial basis, and over time he became familiar with different types and prices of cigarettes, which helped him continue in this profession until a better opportunity arises.
He mentioned that he hopes for an improvement in economic conditions and the chance to work in his specialized field so that he can invest his effort and academic education meaningfully, rather than let it all go to waste.
The types of cigarettes available in the markets vary between local and foreign brands – May 6, 2025 (Enab Baladi)
As for Tarek al-Zein (30 years old) from Ras al-Ain, economic difficulties led him to leave his carpentry profession and turn to selling cigarettes at a stall, looking for a source of income to meet his family’s needs.
This change came after the demand for carpentry work declined and most of the workshops al-Zein used to deal with were shut down.
He clarified that working in cigarette sales is not bad, as it brings in a relatively high income compared to daily labor, where daily profits can reach around 150,000 Syrian pounds.
He noted that he is not the only one from his workshop who changed professions, as three of his colleagues also transitioned to selling cigarettes in stalls or specialized wholesale shops.
The price of a pack of cigarettes (20 cigarettes) of “Carnival” brand is 5,000 Syrian pounds, “Gauloises” is 10,000 Syrian pounds, “Grand White” is 5,500 Syrian pounds, and “Akhtamar” is 4,000 Syrian pounds.
230 job opportunities
Cigarette stalls in Ras al-Ain and Tal Abyad provide more than 230 job opportunities, according to an Enab Baladi correspondent’s observations, contributing to securing a source of income for many workers in this sector.
Adnan Ismail, a tobacco and cigarette supplier in Tal Abyad, told Enab Baladi that the trade of tobacco products has seen significant growth in the city since 2020.
He explained that one of the main reasons for the growth of this trade is the smuggling of tobacco into Turkey, where it is sold at higher prices, yielding traders multiplied profits.
He mentioned that the increasing rate of smoking, especially among teenagers, has also contributed to the expansion of the local market, amid a lack of supervision over the shops selling these products.
He pointed out that many young people visit his shop daily to buy complete supplies with the aim of opening their own stalls or small shops to sell cigarettes within the city.
The cities of Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain are witnessing a widespread proliferation of tobacco trade – May 6, 2025 (Enab Baladi)
Regulation, not closure
The spokesperson for the local council in Ras al-Ain, Ziad Malaki, stated to Enab Baladi that the council began organizing the work of tobacco and cigarette vendors in early 2020.
He explained that the council has issued more than 35 licenses for shops operating in this field.
He added that under current circumstances, the council will not shut down the stalls on which many needy families rely as their main source of income.
He emphasized that current and future efforts will focus on regulating this trade and controlling it under laws that protect people’s rights without depriving them of their main sources of income.
Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain rely primarily on one sector, which is agriculture, limiting job opportunities and the availability of diverse jobs for the residents. Additionally, the weak infrastructure and services coupled with limited space have hampered the region’s ability to attract investments and contributed to the residents’ weak purchasing power.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the nicotine present in tobacco is highly addictive and is considered a major risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, along with more than 20 types or subtypes of cancer, as well as many other debilitating health conditions.
More than 8 million people die annually as a result of tobacco use, and most tobacco-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, which are often targeted for intensive interventions and marketing by the tobacco industry.
Tobacco can also be harmful to non-smokers, as exposure to secondhand smoke has health impacts, leading to 1.2 million deaths annually.
Tobacco trade thrives in Ras al-Ain and Tal Abyad Enab Baladi.
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