A survey of UK convenience-store managers has found retailers are optimistic about the trajectory of smoke-free alternatives for the year ahead.
The research saw 200 retailers polled, with 74% saying they expect demand for products like heated tobacco and vapes rise over 2026, and 84% having plans to expand their ranges to meet increasing customer interest in the category.
Government data shows that in 2011 around one in five UK adults smoked, a figure that had dwindled to 10.4% by 2024. This, combined with the looming Tobacco and Vapes Bill means retailers are facing limits to the products they can sell, diminishing revenue from tobacco products, and reduced footfall from customers who would once regularly stop in to buy them.
Vapes and other alternatives to traditional tobacco are seen as a key area for growth to offset these trends, with 96% of retailers telling Philip Morris, the firm behind the research, that they have been asked by customers to recommend smoke-free products.
The company has committed to move away from traditional cigarettes and aims to generate two thirds of its revenue from smoke-free products by 2030. Philip Morris’ commercial director, Paul Dufourne, commented: “In 2026, the smoke-free landscape will increasingly be shaped at the point of sale.
“As smoke-free ranges continue to expand and shoppers’ needs become more specific, retailers who can confidently explain the differences between formats and strengths will be best placed to help adult smokers find products that genuinely suit their needs, giving them greater confidence in their choices and supporting switching for good.”
