Key Points

• Cigarettes remained the largest tobacco category in U.S. convenience stores but saw declining unit sales.
• Cigarette sales reached $50.8 billion, while unit sales fell 5.3% for the 52 weeks ending June 14, 2026.
• Electronic smoking devices generated $6.22 billion in sales, down 6%, with unit sales down 14%.
• Modern oral nicotine pouches grew 29% in dollar sales and 17% in unit sales.
•  Retailers said nicotine pouches are becoming an important growth category.

2Firsts

August 6, 2026

According to U.S. convenience retail publication CStore Decisions on Aug. 5, 2026, tobacco categories in U.S. convenience stores are undergoing structural changes as consumer nicotine preferences evolve. Data from Chicago-based market research firm Circana for the 52 weeks ending June 14, 2026, showed that cigarettes remained the largest category, while vape sales declined and modern oral nicotine products continued to expand.

The data suggests that consumers are increasingly using multiple nicotine products, with nicotine pouches gaining more presence in convenience store tobacco sections.

Cigarettes Remain Largest Category as Unit Sales Decline

According to Circana data, cigarette sales in U.S. convenience stores reached:

$50.8 billion

during the 52 weeks ending June 14, 2026.

However, unit sales declined:

The data shows that stable dollar sales were supported by higher prices, while purchasing volume declined.

Cigarettes remained the largest tobacco category in convenience stores, but consumers are increasingly shifting toward other nicotine products.

Vape Sales Face Pressure

Vape categories showed weaker performance during the period.

Circana data showed:

Both sales and unit volume declined.

CStore Decisions noted that retailers are reassessing the role of vape products as regulatory changes and consumer preferences reshape tobacco category management.

Nicotine Pouches Drive Modern Oral Nicotine Growth

Modern oral nicotine products became one of the strongest-performing categories.

Circana data showed:

Nicotine pouches were a major driver of this growth.

Jon Manuyag, director of marketing at Plaid Pantry, said modern oral nicotine pouch trends were:

•  Dollar sales:+29%
•  Unit sales:+17%

He said product innovation from major manufacturers such as ZYN and ON was increasing the category’s share within retailers’ portfolios.

Retailers Track Consumer Shifts and Regulatory Changes

Retailers said consumers are increasingly using multiple nicotine product categories.

Jessica Starnes, loyalty director and tobacco category manager at Weigel’s, said cigarettes remained a major sales driver but nicotine pouches represented the strongest-performing segment.

She said future convenience store tobacco assortments could include:

•  cigarettes;
•  heated tobacco products;
• nicotine pouches;
•  regulated vapor products.

Regulation remains another major issue for retailers.

Retailers are seeking additional clarity from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), particularly regarding PMTA (Premarket Tobacco Product Application) reviews and product authorization requirements.

Tobacco Category Competition Enters New Phase

Circana data shows a shift in growth dynamics across U.S. convenience store tobacco categories:

• Cigarettes:
•  largest category but declining unit sales;Vapes:
• declining sales and volume;Nicotine pouches:

fast-growing emerging category.The trend indicates that consumer preferences are reshaping convenience store tobacco assortments toward a broader nicotine product mix.

However, the data reflects category performance changes and does not indicate that one product category has fully replaced another.

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Cover Image source: CStore Decisions