In the United Kingdom, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is legally allowed, including the sale and purchase of NRT products without a prescription from general stores. The government fully covers NRT cost. The market size of NRT products in the United Kingdom was estimated to be 165.4 million € in 2019.
Product promotion
- Consumer Health: Euromonitor from trade sources/national statistics. Date Exported: 8/9/2019. (c) Euromonitor International 2019
Regulation
- WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-gbr.pdf?sfvrsn=ae538ce2_3&download=true. Accessed: 9 December 2025.
Availability
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Yes | 1A |
| 2022 | Yes | 1B |
- WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2019. https://www.who.int/tobacco/global_report/en/ (2019).
- WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-gbr.pdf?sfvrsn=ae538ce2_3&download=true. Accessed: 9 December 2025.
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | many general shops without a prescription | 1A |
| 2022 | General store | 1B |
- WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2019. https://www.who.int/tobacco/global_report/en/ (2019).
- WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-gbr.pdf?sfvrsn=ae538ce2_3&download=true. Accessed: 9 December 2025.
- WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-gbr.pdf?sfvrsn=ae538ce2_3&download=true. Accessed: 9 December 2025.
- WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2019. https://www.who.int/tobacco/global_report/en/ (2019).
Formal support
- WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-gbr.pdf?sfvrsn=ae538ce2_3&download=true. Accessed: 9 December 2025.
- NRT cost is fully covered by the government.
Publications
The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2024: A Situation Report
This Briefing Paper summarises The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2024: A Situation Report, which uses the latest evidence and new data projections to report on the current global THR situation and its potential to rapidly reduce the burden of disease and mortality associated with risky tobacco use.
A smokefree UK? How research, policy and vapes have cut smoking rates
The number of people who vape in the United Kingdom is soon set to exceed the number who smoke for the first time. This Briefing Paper explores the United Kingdom’s progress towards becoming smokefree, highlighting both the successes and the challenges.
Tobacco harm reduction and people experiencing homelessness – a UK perspective
With such high smoking rates among people who experience homelessness or rough sleeping in the UK, this Briefing Paper looks at the potential for tobacco harm reduction to help reduce the health inequalities seen in this vulnerable population.