UK
Tobacco Regulation: United Kingdom
August 2026: UK Government Outlines New Fixed Penalty Notices and Operational Guidance for Tobacco and Vaping Violations The UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published detailed guidance on the rollout of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) and related enforcement rules for offences related to tobacco, vaping, and nicotine
British Cigarettes: “Fags”
August 2026: Imperial Brands Expands Players Range with Launch of Players Classic Imperial Brands has expanded its Players cigarette portfolio with the introduction of Players Classic, a new full-strength value cigarette aimed at budget-conscious adult smokers. Available in both King Size and Super Kings formats, the range carries a recommended
UK: Vapes
July 2026: ‘Big Puff’ Vape Surge Undermines UK Ban, Driving Escalating Battery Fire Hazards Following the UK government’s mid-2025 ban on single-use disposable vapes, sales of high-capacity “big puff” devices have skyrocketed. Rather than curbing overall nicotine consumption, the policy has driven manufacturers to exploit regulatory loopholes, flooding the market
UK: Nicotine Pouches
July 2026: Republic Technologies Enters UK Nicotine Pouch Market with Zig Launch Republic Technologies is entering the UK nicotine pouch market with the launch of Zig, marking the company’s first move into the rapidly expanding tobacco-free nicotine category. The new range will be available from August, extending the company’s portfolio
UK: Cigar Market
June 2026: The Structural Shift in the UK Cigar Market: The Rise of the Cigarillo Segment The UK cigar category accounts for more than £350 million in annual retail sales. Within this category, a significant structural realignment has occurred. First introduced six years ago, the cigarillo segment has expanded rapidly
UK: Cigarette Market
June 2026: Legislative Restructuring and Economic Bifurcation in the UK Tobacco Market The UK tobacco sector is entering a period of significant structural and regulatory transition. Valued at £12.6 billion over the past year, the cigarette category remains a highly profitable segment for the industry, even as it faces unprecedented
UK: Heated Tobacco
May 2026: UK Tobacco Advertising Crackdown Forces PMI to Remove IQOS Promotions From Stores Philip Morris International (PMI) is removing in-store advertising for its IQOS heated tobacco products in the UK following the introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Act, which tightens restrictions on tobacco promotion and closes regulatory loopholes
UK: Roll-Your-Own Tobacco
The UK is one of the biggest and most profitable tobacco markets in the world with close to £30 billion (US$38 billion) annual retail turnover. Despite experiencing a jaw-dropping volume decline of 17% per annum (2021-24), machine-made cigarettes (or “fags”, as a British would call them) still has a 64%
