Cheap Cigarette Prices
Tobacco prices vary in different parts of the UK, and the price of cigarettes varies by region. For instance, London has the highest average price of any UK area and Wales has the lowest. Smokers’ preferences for cheap cigarettes also vary across the country. The most expensive brands are found in Northern England, while the cheapest are often marketed to youths. The price of cheaper brands was higher in Scotland.
This study used weighted data to determine the effect of various policies on cigarette costs, including taxes. Using a longitudinal cohort study, 6169 respondents provided 15812 responses. Analyses focused on the types of products purchased (roll-your-own tobacco, factory-made packs or cartons, duty-free, and outside of the UK) and the prices paid. A generalized estimating equation was used to test for linear changes over time.
The proportion of smokers using cheap cigarettes uk products increased over time across all age groups and regions. The highest increase was among people under 24 years old, where 76% of smokers reported buying cheap cigarettes. The prevalence of all cheap brands was higher in lower socioeconomic groups. The proportion of men smoking economy-brands was greater than that of women. Non-London-based smokers were more likely to smoke cheaper tobacco than those in the South-East.
Cheap Cigarette Prices in the UK
The use of cheap products was common among younger smokers. However, the proportion of smokers who had not smoked any cigarettes in the last year showed a significant increase from 2002 to 2008. The number of young people who had not used cigarettes in the last year was the largest, with 76%. The prevalence of all cheap products was higher among those in lower socio-economic groups. It was found that men were more likely to use economy brands than women. The prevalence of the cheapest tobacco was highest in non-London locations and in rural areas.
While UK-based cigarettes have lower prices, cigarettes from non-UK sources are cheaper than those sold in the United States. Those in the UK are more likely to purchase non-UK-based tobacco, so their costs are lower than those of non-UK-based smokers. Those who have been smoking for some time may be unaware that they can purchase these products at a cheaper price than others. They are also less likely to report their income.
When the study compared UK store-based cigarettes, the cheapest cigarettes were bought by smokers in the UK, where they were cheaper than those in the US. The results were similar when it came to the types of tobacco, although the two groups differed in the cost. Those in the UK who bought FM cigarettes were the ones who bought them by the pack. They also smoked the cheapest brand of tobacco.