BAT is working to roll out vape and nicotine pouch automated vending machines in pubs and bars, Better Retailing can reveal.

Job adverts show the tobacco giant is hiring at least 12 reps to target on-trade establishments with the aim of “securing new locations for vending machine and other business development solutions to ultimately increase sell out of specific BAT related products”.

Target areas include Basingstoke, Birmingham, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Coventry, Crawley, Edinburgh, Exeter, Maidstone, Reading, Royal Tunbridge and Sevenoaks.

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The reps are sent to launch on 24 June on six-month ‘trial’ contracts, ‘with ambition to extend into 2025 and beyond’.

Asked to comment, a BAT spokesperson told Better Retailing: “BAT UK is excited to be working on a project to sell our Vuse and Velo brands via age-gated vending machines. At BAT, our purpose is bold: to build A Better Tomorrow. We will do this by reducing the health impact of our business, including by reaching our adult consumers where they use our alternative nicotine products. Vending machines represent an exciting opportunity to further deliver on our purpose.”

Vape vending machines in pubs have attracted concerns around potential underage sales. Asked about how the devices will prevent underage sales, BAT responded: “Our machines will use best in class age verification, to ensure that this essential principle is maintained.”

BAT failed to answer when asked about the likely impact on sales in nearby newsagents and convenience stores selling the same BAT products.

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