BAT Executives Urge UK to Crack Down on Illegal e-Cigarettes

Sep.20.2024
BAT Executives Urge UK to Crack Down on Illegal e-Cigarettes
British American Tobacco (BAT) executives urge UK government to focus on tackling illegal e-cigarette sales instead of unnecessary tobacco policies.

According to a recent report by Bloomberg, executives from British American Tobacco (BAT) have stated that the UK government should focus on combating the illicit trade of e-cigarettes rather than introducing additional regulations on traditional cigarettes.


The previous Conservative government in the UK announced plans to ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 14 in order to create a smoke-free generation.


British American Tobacco's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Kingsley Wheaton, cited an analysis from the company indicating that the smoking rate among young people will drop to below 5% when the UK's policy to ban the purchase of cigarettes by young people takes effect.


Whitton emphasized that the government should allocate more resources to crack down on the illegal e-cigarette market, rather than further tightening existing policies on traditional cigarettes. The company will push for licenses to be issued to e-cigarette retailers. BAT said that if enforced properly, issuing licenses will help reduce the number of minors accessing e-cigarettes.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

BAT’s Product Strategy Reset: A Structural Analysis of Its Post-FY2025 Competitive Architecture
BAT’s Product Strategy Reset: A Structural Analysis of Its Post-FY2025 Competitive Architecture
Drawing on BAT’s FY2025 results and earnings call, 2Firsts finds the company shifting from category expansion to competitive entrenchment across Vapour, Modern Oral, Heated Products and Combustibles. The strategy centers on connected devices, geographic customization and portfolio tiering. While structurally coherent, financial returns depend on consistent regulatory enforcement against illicit competitors, making policy execution a key variable for 2026 performance.
Feb.12
PMI U.S. Says Dothan Factory Closure Reflects Focus on Smoke-Free Business Strategy
PMI U.S. Says Dothan Factory Closure Reflects Focus on Smoke-Free Business Strategy
Philip Morris International U.S. (PMI U.S.) announced that it will close the Swedish Match cigar manufacturing facility on Columbia Highway in Dothan, Alabama. The company said the decision reflects its need to maintain focus on offering reduced-risk, FDA-authorized smoke-free products to legal-aged adult nicotine users in the United States to help them move away from combustible cigarettes.
Mar.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Japan Tobacco Launches Nordic Spirit Nicotine Pouches in Japan; Nationwide Rollout Starts April 6
Japan Tobacco Launches Nordic Spirit Nicotine Pouches in Japan; Nationwide Rollout Starts April 6
Japan Tobacco (JT) has introduced the new Nordic Spirit nicotine pouch brand in Japan. The Cola Fizz Medium flavor began early sales on March 3, 2026 via the CLUB JT online shop, and will be rolled out sequentially from April 6 through nationwide channels including 7-Eleven, Lawson, and NewDays. The Berry Mix Medium flavor is expected to launch on CLUB JT around mid-March.
Mar.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
The UK government plans to expand the scope of its e-cigarette ban to include playgrounds, off-campus areas, and areas outside hospitals.
The UK government plans to expand the scope of its e-cigarette ban to include playgrounds, off-campus areas, and areas outside hospitals.
Government plans would ban vaping in cars carrying children and restrict smoking, vaping and heated tobacco in settings including playgrounds and outside schools across England, subject to a 12-week public consultation. The proposals also say indoor spaces where smoking is already banned would become vape- and heated-tobacco-free, and areas outside hospitals would be included.
Feb.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Exclusive: Glas says FDA-authorized G2 vape includes age-gating technology
Exclusive: Glas says FDA-authorized G2 vape includes age-gating technology
Glas has confirmed to 2Firsts that its G2 device, which received a FDA Marketing Granted Order (MGO), incorporates age-gating technology. Based on currently public information, this means the FDA has granted an MGO to the first ENDS product confirmed to incorporate age-gating technology, validating 2Firsts’ earlier inference.
Mar.17
Azerbaijan Amends Administrative Offenses Code to Penalize E-Cigarette Violations
Azerbaijan Amends Administrative Offenses Code to Penalize E-Cigarette Violations
Azerbaijan has established fines for the import, export, production and sale of e-cigarettes. Under amendments to the Administrative Offenses Code approved by President Ilham Aliyev, using e-cigarettes in places prohibited by the law “On the Restriction of Tobacco Product Use,” including streets and other public areas, will result in a fine of 30 manat.
Mar.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai