UK Cigarette Sales Halved in Three Years

Market by vapingpost; Ellesmere Zhu
Apr.17.2023
UK Cigarette Sales Halved in Three Years
A study by University of Edinburgh reveals a significant decline in cigarette sales, indicating that small stores are becoming less reliant on these products.

Combustible tobacco sales plummet by 47%

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh analyzed sales data from nearly 1,400 convenience stores across Scotland, England, and Wales, comparing the sales figures from March, June, September, and December 2016 to the same periods in 2019. The results showed a 47% decrease in combustible tobacco sales over three years, with tobacco-only transactions falling from 11% to 6%, and sales containing a mix of tobacco products and other items dropping from 14% to 9%. The average weekly sales declined by 16% between 2016 and 2019. Professor Jamie Pearce from the University's School of GeoSciences suggests these findings indicate the need for a new business model, supported by the increasing sales of e-cigarettes during the same period. 

 

E-cig ban causes relapse, study shows

A recent US study published in the scientific journal Value in Health also found that vaping bans led to higher cigarette sales, with Massachusetts experiencing a 7.5% higher-than-expected per capita cigarette sales after implementing a full vape ban. 

 

UK and NZ have coma a long way in smoke cessation

The UK and New Zealand recommend vaping products as smoking cessation tools, resulting in lower smoking rates of 13.8% in the UK and 10.9% in New Zealand. New Zealand's government launched a vape awareness campaign in 2020, leading to a reduction in smoking rates from 13.7% to 10.9% within a year.

 

Reference:

Sales of Combustible Tobacco Products Drop by Half in Three Years

 

Also read: 

UK Health Minister's Speech on Vape

New Zealand Smoking Rate Hits Record Low
The Latest Study Linking Vapes to Smoking Cessation

*The content of this article is written after the extraction, compilation and integration of multiple information for exchange and learning purposes. The copyright of the summary information still belongs to the original article and its author. If any infringement is found, please contact us to delete it. 

Haypp Report: Women Emerge as a Key Growth Driver in the UK Nicotine Pouch Market
Haypp Report: Women Emerge as a Key Growth Driver in the UK Nicotine Pouch Market
According to Haypp’s 2026 UK Nicotine Report, women are a key growth driver in the UK nicotine pouch market. Overall sales for Haypp and Northerner rose 60% year‑on‑year in 2025, but purchases by women surged 202%, versus 25% for men. Women’s share of consumers jumped from 22% to 40%. The report attributes this to discretion, perceived health benefits, and more gender‑neutral product positioning, suggesting future growth will come from a broader range of adult nicotine users.
Jul.01
UK Vape Brands Face White-Packaging and Flavour-Name Curbs in Youth-Appeal Crackdown
UK Vape Brands Face White-Packaging and Flavour-Name Curbs in Youth-Appeal Crackdown
The UK government and devolved administrations have launched a 12-week consultation on proposals to make vapes less appealing to children, including plain white packaging, limits on device colours, restrictions on flavour names and changes to how products are displayed in shops.
Jul.10
UK PM Andy Burnham Reshapes Vape Retail Rules as Licensing Could Raise Barriers for New Shops
UK PM Andy Burnham Reshapes Vape Retail Rules as Licensing Could Raise Barriers for New Shops
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is pushing a high street reform agenda that could give local authorities greater powers over commercial activity, including vape retail. The reforms could involve expanded planning powers and a potential vape retail licensing system, allowing councils to play a larger role in store locations and market access. The measures are part of the UK’s broader shift toward tighter vape regulation, although no nationwide vape retail restrictions have yet been implemented.
Aug.11
UK Local Council Proposes £5 Refundable Deposit on Vape Devices
UK Local Council Proposes £5 Refundable Deposit on Vape Devices
Norwich City Council is set to debate a proposed vape deposit scheme that would require consumers to pay an extra refundable £5 per device at purchase, with the money returned when the device is handed back, as recent recycling-facility fires, including a major Widnes blaze reportedly very likely caused by a vape, draw greater attention to the risks of improperly discarded lithium-battery devices.
Jul.01
Product | Republic Technologies Launches ZIG Nicotine Pouches, Expanding Beyond Traditional Tobacco Accessories
Product | Republic Technologies Launches ZIG Nicotine Pouches, Expanding Beyond Traditional Tobacco Accessories
Republic Technologies UK has entered the nicotine pouch market with ZIG Nicotine Pouches, marking the company’s expansion beyond traditional tobacco-related accessories into smoke-free nicotine products. The product is expected to enter UK retail channels from August 2026, including convenience stores, supermarkets and tobacco retailers. The launch includes six flavors and three nicotine strengths: 8mg, 12mg and 17mg.
Market
Jul.21 by 2Firsts Perspectives
UK Disposable Vape Ban Marks One Year as Adult Use Falls to 8% and Youth Use to 13%
UK Disposable Vape Ban Marks One Year as Adult Use Falls to 8% and Youth Use to 13%
One year after the UK ban on single-use disposable vapes took effect, YouGov data commissioned by Action on Smoking and Health shows that 13% of 11-17-year-old vapers and 8% of adult vapers now mainly use disposable products.
Jun.18