Characterising vaping products in the UK: An analysis of Tobacco Products Directive notification data

Addiction ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blessing Nyakutsikwa ◽  
John Britton ◽  
Ilze Bogdanovica ◽  
Alan Boobis ◽  
Tessa Langley
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Products ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Notification Data

scholarly journals Introduction of standardised packaging and availability of illicit cigarettes: a difference-in-difference analysis of European Union survey data 2015–2018

Thorax ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony A Laverty ◽  
Christopher Millett ◽  
Nicholas S Hopkinson ◽  
Filippos T Filippidis
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Tobacco Industry ◽  
Difference In Difference ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Difference Analysis ◽  
Illicit Trade ◽  
European Union Countries ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Uk

Standardised packaging of tobacco products is intended to reduce the appeal of smoking, but the tobacco industry claims this increases illicit trade. We examined the percentage of people reporting being offered illicit cigarettes before and after full implementation of standardised packaging in the UK, Ireland and France and compared this to other European Union countries. Reported ever illicit cigarette exposure fell from 19.8% to 18.1% between 2015 and 2018 in the three countries fully implementing the policy, and from 19.6% to 17.0% in control countries (p for difference=0.320). Standardised packaging does not appear to increase the availability of illicit cigarettes.

scholarly journals Difference between recommended retail price and sales price for tobacco products in independent and convenience (small) retailers before and after the introduction of standardised tobacco packaging in the UK

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Critchlow ◽  
Martine Stead ◽  
Crawford Moodie ◽  
Kathryn Angus ◽  
Douglas Eadie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retail Price ◽  
Price Sensitivity ◽  
Brand Positioning ◽  
Average Difference ◽  
Product Positioning ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Sales Price ◽  
Point Of Sale ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Uk

AimRecommended retail price (RRP) is a marketing strategy used by tobacco companies to maintain competitiveness, communicate product positioning and drive sales. We explored small retailer adherence to RRP before and after the introduction of the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations in the UK (fully implemented on 20 May 2017) which mandated standardised packaging of cigarettes and rolling tobacco, set minimum pack/pouch sizes and prohibited price-marking.MethodMonthly electronic point of sale data from 500 small retailers in England, Scotland and Wales were analysed. From May 2016 to October 2017, we monitored 20 of the best-selling fully branded tobacco products (15 factory-made cigarettes, 5 rolling tobacco) and their standardised equivalents. Adherence to RRP was measured as the average difference (%) between monthly RRPs and sales prices by pack type (fully branded vs standardised), price-marking on packaging and price segment.ResultsThe average difference between RRP and sales price increased from +0.36% above RRP (SD=0.72) in May 2016, when only fully branded packs were sold, to +1.37% in October 2017 (SD=0.30), when standardised packs were mandatory. Increases above RRP for fully branded packs increased as they were phased out, with deviation greater for non-price-marked packs and premium products.DiscussionDespite tobacco companies emphasising the importance of RRP, small retailers implemented small increases above RRP as standardised packaging was introduced. Consequently, any intended price changes by tobacco companies in response to the legislation (ie, to increase affordability or brand positioning) may be confounded by retailer behaviour, and such deviation may increase consumer price sensitivity.

scholarly journals The failure of the UK to tax adequately tobacco company profits

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Robert Branston ◽  
Anna B Gilmore
Keyword(s):  
Tax Avoidance ◽  
Tobacco Product ◽  
Tobacco Company ◽  
Corporate Tax ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Corporation Tax ◽  
Tobacco Epidemic ◽  
Key Driver ◽  
Transnational Tobacco Companies ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Background A key driver of the global tobacco epidemic is the massive profit earned from manufacturing tobacco products despite high levels of product taxation. Two of the four major Transnational Tobacco companies are based in the UK, where there is growing evidence of corporate tax avoidance by transnational firms and where there are calls for the industry to pay more towards the harms caused by tobacco products. Objectives/Methods UK tobacco company profit and corporation tax data between 2009 and 2016 is obtained from publically available sources. The intention is not to perform a piece of forensic accounting but to establish the broad pattern of profit and taxation in order to inform consideration of tobacco product and firm taxation, and hence public health. Results Very little profit based taxation has been paid in the UK despite high levels of reported profits, both in the domestic market and globally. Conclusions The UK needs better reporting and corporate taxation standards. Tobacco companies should be made to pay more profit based taxation, such as by extending the surcharge on corporation tax currently paid by UK banks, and by making sure companies pay appropriate taxes when reorganizing corporate structures.

scholarly journals Impact of a ban on the open display of tobacco products in retail outlets on never smoking youth in the UK: findings from a repeat cross-sectional survey before, during and after implementation

2019 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2018-054831 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Ford ◽  
Anne Marie MacKintosh ◽  
Crawford Moodie ◽  
Mirte A G Kuipers ◽  
Gerard B Hastings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brand Awareness ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Point Of Sale ◽  
Cigarette Brand ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Never Smokers ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Smoking Susceptibility

BackgroundIn the UK, a ban on the open display of tobacco products at the point of sale (POS) was phased in between 2012 and 2015. We explored any impact of the ban on youth before, during and after implementation.MethodsA repeat cross-sectional in-home survey with young people aged 11–16 years old in the UK was conducted preban (2011, n=1373), mid-ban (2014, n=1205) and postban (2016, n=1213). The analysis focuses on the never-smokers in the sample (n=2953 in total). Preban, we quantified the associations of noticing cigarettes displayed at POS and cigarette brand awareness with smoking susceptibility. We measured any change in noticing cigarettes displayed at POS, cigarette brand awareness and smoking susceptibility between preban, mid-ban and postban. Postban, we assessed support for a display ban, perceived appeal of cigarettes and perceived acceptability of smoking as a result of closed displays.ResultsPreban, noticing cigarettes displayed at POS (adjusted OR [AOR]=1.97, 95% CI 1.30 to 2.98) and higher brand awareness (AOR=1.15, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.29) were positively associated with smoking susceptibility. The mean number of brands recalled declined from 0.97 preban to 0.69 postban (p<0.001). Smoking susceptibility decreased from 28% preban to 23% mid-ban and 18% postban (p for trend <0.001). Postban, 90% of never-smokers supported the display ban and indicated that it made cigarettes seem unappealing (77%) and made smoking seem unacceptable (87%).ConclusionsBoth partial and full implementation of a display ban were followed by a reduction in smoking susceptibility among adolescents, which may be driven by decreases in brand awareness.

scholarly journals How tobacco companies in the United Kingdom prepared for, and responded to, standardised packaging of cigarettes and rolling tobacco

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (e1) ◽  
pp. e85-e92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Crawford Moodie ◽  
Kathryn Angus ◽  
Danielle Mitchell ◽  
Nathan Critchlow
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Brand Extensions ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Name Change ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Pictorial Warnings ◽  
Cigarette Pack ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Trade Press

IntroductionAs a result of the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations and Tobacco Products Directive, all packs of cigarettes (factory-made and hand-rolled) in the UK must be drab brown, display pictorial warnings on the principal display areas and contain no less than 20 cigarettes or 30 g of tobacco. The legislation was phased in between May 2016 and May 2017. Our objective was to monitor pack, brand and product changes preimplementation and postimplementation.MethodsOur surveillance of the cigarette market involved a review of the trade press, a monthly monitor of online supermarkets and regular visits to stores, from May 2015 to June 2017.ResultsBefore standardised packaging there were changes to the pack graphics (eg, redesigned packs and limited editions) and pack structure (eg, resealable inner foil) and the issue of a number of reusable tins. After standardised packaging, changes included newer cigarette pack sizes for some brand variants (eg, 23 and 24 packs). Changes to the branding prestandardised packaging included brand extensions, and poststandardised packaging included brand and/or variant name change, often with the inclusion of colour descriptors and brand migrations. Product changes prestandardised packaging included the introduction of novel filters (eg, filters with two flavour-changing capsules, tube filters, firmer filters and filters with granular additives). There was non-compliance with the legislation, with slim packs, which are not permitted, on sale after standardised packaging was implemented.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the need to monitor developments in markets introducing standardised packaging and have policy implications for countries considering this measure.

scholarly journals Changes in roll-your-own tobacco and cigarette sales volume and prices before, during and after plain packaging legislation in the UK

2019 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2018-054734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Opazo Breton ◽  
John Britton ◽  
Ilze Bogdanovica
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Downward Trend ◽  
Sales Volume ◽  
Average Price ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Pack Size ◽  
Plain Packaging ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Tax Changes

BackgroundPlain packaging and minimum pack size legislation for tobacco products was introduced in the UK in May 2016, with a 1-year sell-off period until May 2017, during which both fully branded and plain packs of various sizes were legally available. This study investigates trends in prices of roll-your-own tobacco (RYO) before, during and after implementation of this legislation, and compares trends with those observed in the cigarette market.MethodsWe used Nielsen Scantrack data for the period from March 2013 to June 2018 to describe trends in UK inflation-adjusted prices and volumes of both RYO and cigarettes, and linear regression to estimate changes in prices associated with the introduction of plain packaging and the minimum pack sizes of 30 g RYO and 20 cigarettes.ResultsIn contrast to a downward trend in cigarette sales volumes, RYO volumes rose throughout the study period. By the time plain packs accounted for 75% or more of sales, the average price of products sold in equivalent pack sizes had increased, relative to average prices in the year before implementation and with adjustment for tax changes, from 34.9 to 38.8 pence per gram for RYO (mean difference 4.26, 95% CI 3.99 to 4.53 pence, 12% increase), and from 38.6 to 41.13 pence for cigarettes (mean difference 2.53, 95% CI 2.24 to 2.83 pence, 7% increase) per cigarette.ConclusionsNew legislation resulted in higher prices for RYO and manufactured cigarettes. However, sales volumes of RYO continued to increase throughout the study period, perhaps because RYO remains a less expensive means of smoking tobacco.

scholarly journals Quantile regression of tobacco tax pass-through in the UK 2013–2019. How have manufacturers passed through tax changes for different tobacco products?

2020 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2020-055931
Author(s):  
Luke Brian Wilson ◽  
Robert Pryce ◽  
Rosemary Hiscock ◽  
Colin Angus ◽  
Alan Brennan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantile Regression ◽  
Tobacco Industry ◽  
Tax Rates ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Price Distribution ◽  
Tobacco Tax ◽  
Quantile Regression Analysis ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Tax Changes

BackgroundThe effectiveness of tax increases relies heavily on the tobacco industry passing on such increases to smokers (also referred to as ‘pass-through’). Previous research has found heterogeneous levels of tax pass-through across the market segments of tobacco products available to smokers. This study uses retail sales data to assess the extent to which recent tax changes have been passed on to smokers and whether this varies across the price distribution.MethodsWe use panel data quantile regression analysis on Nielsen commercial data of tobacco price and sales in the UK from January 2013 to March 2019 combined with official UK tax rates and inflation to calculate the rate of tax pass-through for factory made (FM) cigarettes and roll your own (RYO) tobacco.ResultsFollowing increases in the specific tax payable on tobacco, we find evidence of overshifting across the price distribution for both FM and RYO. The rate of the overshift in tax increased the more expensive the products were. This was consistent for FM and RYO. Additionally, our findings suggest that the introduction of standardised packaging was not followed by changes in how the tobacco industry responded to tax increases.ConclusionsFollowing the repeated introduction of increases in specific tobacco tax as well as standardised packaging, we show that the tobacco industry applies techniques to keep the cheapest tobacco cheaper relative to the more expensive products when passing on tax increases to smokers.

scholarly journals Levels of toxins in oral tobacco products in the UK

2006 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
A McNeill
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Products ◽  
The Uk

scholarly journals Prospective longitudinal study of tobacco company adaptation to standardised packaging in the UK: identifying circumventions and closing loopholes

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e028506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen A Evans-Reeves ◽  
Rosemary Hiscock ◽  
Kathrin Lauber ◽  
Anna B Gilmore
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Retail Trade ◽  
Tobacco Company ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽  
Sales Data ◽  
Tobacco Marketing ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

ObjectivesUK standardised packaging legislation was introduced alongside pack size and product descriptor restrictions of the European Union Tobacco Products Directive to end tobacco marketing and misinformation via the pack. This paper aims to assess compliance with the restrictions and identify attempts to continue to market tobacco products and perpetuate misperceptions of harm post legislation.Design, setting and interventionA prospective study of the introduction of standardised packaging of tobacco products to the UK.Participants and outcomesWe analysed commercial sales data to assess whether the legally required changes in pack branding, size and name were implemented. To explore any adaptations to products and packaging we analysed sales data, monthly pack purchases of factory-made (FM) cigarettes and roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco, tobacco advertisements from retail trade magazines and articles on tobacco from commercial literature (retail trade, market analyst and tobacco company publications).ResultsOne month after full implementation of the UK and European Union policies, 97% FM and 98% RYO was sold in compliant packaging. Nevertheless, tobacco companies made adaptations to tobacco products which enabled continued brand differentiation after the legislation came into force. For example, flavour names previously associated with low tar were systematically changed to colour names arguably facilitating continued misperceptions about the relative harms of products. Tobacco companies used the 1-year sell-through to their advantage by communicating brand name changes and providing financial incentives for retailers to buy large volumes of branded packs. In addition, tobacco companies continued to market their products to retailers and customers by innovating exemptions to the legislation, namely, filters, packaging edges, seals, multipack outers, RYO accessories, cigars and pipe tobacco.ConclusionsTobacco companies adapted to packaging restrictions by innovating their tobacco products and marketing activities. These findings should enable policy makers globally to close loopholes and increase the potential efficacy of standardised packaging policies.

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