British American Tobacco expects 2018 sales of vapor products and similar categories to double

  British American Tobacco recently stated that sales of vapor products and other non-traditional cigarettes are expected to double in 2018.

  In July 2017, after acquiring Reynolds American Tobacco, the company's revenue increased significantly, making it the leading vapor manufacturer in the U.S. market and the largest e-cigarette manufacturer in the world.   In 2017, sales of next-generation products reached £397 million, with Reynolds Tobacco's total annual sales at £500 million.   CEO Nicandro Durante stated that the company expects sales of low-risk products to double in 2018, reaching £1 billion, and by 2022, to exceed £5 billion.   The company reported that as of December 31, 2017, operating profit rose from £4.6 billion to £6.5 billion, benefiting from the acquisition of Reynolds American in the second half of the year and the weakness of the pound. Excluding the impact of Reynolds American, British American Tobacco's profit increased by 3.7%.   Durante said: “Our investments are now paying off, realizing that consumer preferences vary, so we now have a wide range of products, including various exciting innovations in low-risk categories, such as vapor products, heated tobacco products, chewing tobacco, smokeless nicotine pouches, and moist snuff.”