BAT Ramps-up EGO CE4 E-cigarette Expansion as Sales Go Up in Smoke -Priceangels.com

British American Tobacco is planning to rapidly expand its presence in the EGO CE4 electronic cigarette market as the number of smokers declined in the US and Europe.Despite the slump in sales, the world's second biggest cigarette maker posted a rise in revenue and profits, following the increase in prices.The volume dropped to 332 billion cigarettes as the stronger performance in the Asia Pacific markets, and its higher sales of premium brands, was offset by the weak European market.

The adjusted diluted earnings per share however rose by 7% to 109.1p due to the growth in profit. The world's second biggest cigarette maker traded up over 1% at 1350 BST in London.An electronic cigarette, which is a battery powered metal tube that turns nicotine laced liquid into vapour, is popular among the smokers who are trying to quit.

Most of the leading tobacco companies such as Imperial Tobacco, Reynolds American and Altria are now putting money on e-smokes as the market is eventually growing. Some analysts believe that the e-cigarettes will out-sell conventional cigarettes in 10 years' time.

Analysts also expect that the number of e-smokers would grow from 700,000 in 2012 to 1.3 million this year in Britain. The E-cigarettes will be regulated in the UK as a non-prescription medicine from 2016.Electronic cigarettes, known to smokers as e-cigarettes, are lighting up the city as puffers snuff out their butts in favor of the refillable, rechargeable alternative, which produces a not-so-smelly vapor instead of pungent smoke.

British American Tobacco said it would move rapidly to expand its presence in the electronic cigarette market around the world after launching its first product in Britain earlier this week.dssS2SAAa

The world's No.2 cigarette maker, whose premium brands include Kent, Dunhill, Lucky Strike and Pall Mall, launched online sales of 'Vype' on Monday, becoming the first major tobacco firm to offer e-cigarettes in Britain."We'll focus on the UK, but the e-cigarette business is moving quickly all over the world, and we want to make sure that we also move quickly, because we want to take a leading position," BAT director Kingsley Wheaton said on Wednesday, after the firm posted a 4 percent rise in first-half sales.

Electronic cigarettes - battery-powered metal tubes that turn nicotine-laced liquid into vapour - are gaining popularity among smokers who are trying to quit. Market consultant Euromonitor estimates the world market was worth over $2 billion last year.All the top tobacco companies including Lorillard, Imperial Tobacco, Reynolds American and Altria are now placing bets on e-smokes, which some analysts say may outsell conventional cigarettes in 10 years.

In Britain, where BAT expects to sell Vype in shops from September, the number of CE4 e-cigarette users is expected to grow from 700,000 in 2012 to 1.3 million this year, according to analysts. E-cigarettes will be regulated in the UK as non-prescription medicines from 2016.