Puff, puff, pass

Though consumption in many food, beverage and leisure categories is down, sales for chocolate, cigarettes and alcohol remain strong and steady - despite tough financial times - and are expected to grow in the coming years , according to Mintel, reports MarketingCharts.

Historically, these "sin stocks" have performed well during times of recession, and the current economic situation is no exception, Mintel said.

Chocolate:

• The chocolate market is growing quickly, according to Mintel, with retail sales rising 22 percent from 2002 to 2007 (to $16.3 billion).
• 67 percent of respondents in a Mintel survey say they bought chocolate for personal consumption because they had a craving; 36 percent bought it for themselves as a reward; and 12 percent bought it because they were sad or depressed.

• Innovative, dark and premium chocolates are extremely popular. Mintel predicts 4 percent annual sales increases each year for the next six years.

Cigarettes:

• Many smokers aren't quitting, even as prices and health warnings continue to increase.
• Cigarette and tobacco product sales increased 44 percent from 2003 to 2007 (to $103 billion).
• As price and tax increases continue to take hold, Mintel projects that the cigarette and tobacco market will grow 28 percent through 2011 (to $132 billion).

Alcohol:

• High gas prices and expensive bar tabs are spurring more Americans to stay at home, but that doesn't mean they're drinking less.

• The market for at-home alcohol is expected to reach $77.8 billion in 2008, a 32 percent increase from 2003.

"Chocolate, cigarettes and alcohol again seem relatively recession-proof," said Marcia Mogelonsky, senior analyst at Mintel. "People might be cutting back or switching to store brands, but they definitely aren't giving up their small daily indulgences."

Image credit: From the 2003 film Coffee and Cigarettes, released by Asmik Ace Entertainment.