Superkings Cigarettes UK: Brand Guide, Variants and Where to Buy
Finding the right cigarettes at the right price sounds simple enough, until you realise how much variation there is across UK retailers, how confusing the product range has become since the menthol ban, and how little useful buying information actually exists in one place. If you smoke superkings cigarettes uk or you’re thinking about switching to them, this guide cuts through the noise.
What Are Superkings Cigarettes? Brand History and Overview
Superkings is a British cigarette brand owned and manufactured by Imperial Tobacco. It launched in 1983, and the name isn’t just marketing fluff. It literally describes what the cigarette is: longer than the standard 84mm king-size format. That extra length became the brand’s defining characteristic and built a loyal base of smokers who prefer a longer, slower smoke.
Historically, Superkings was primarily marketed towards working-class female smokers, which gave it a distinct identity in a crowded market. By 2007, it held a 3.3% share of the UK cigarette market, making it the ninth most popular brand in the country at the time. Not the biggest player, but far from a niche product.
Anyway, the brand has changed a fair bit since those mid-2000s days. The menthol variants are gone (more on that shortly), the range has slimmed down, and prices have climbed alongside every other tobacco product in the UK. But the core appeal, that slightly longer format and familiar draw, remains intact for those who know what they’re after.
Superkings Variants and Product Range Available in the UK
The current UK Superkings range is more focused than it used to be. Here’s what you can realistically expect to find on shelves:
- Superkings Red: The original, full-flavour variant. The one most long-term smokers associate with the brand.
- Superkings Blue: A lighter option for those who prefer a smoother draw.
- Superkings Black: Positioned as a premium-feel variant within the range, often with slightly different packaging.
It’s worth knowing that availability varies significantly by retailer and region. Some supermarkets stock the full range; others carry only one or two variants. Specialist online tobacco retailers tend to have broader stock.
Current Superkings Prices at Major UK Retailers
Here’s the thing: cigarette prices in the UK are not uniform. The same pack can vary by more than £3 depending on where you buy it. Current retail pricing for a standard 20-pack of Superkings sits in the £13.60 to £17.15 range, with carton prices (typically 10 packs) running from around £73.50 to £75.752.
| Retailer | Approx. 20-Pack Price | Carton Available? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco | £13.60 - £14.50 | Sometimes | Regular shoppers wanting convenience |
| Sainsbury's | £13.80 - £14.80 | Rarely | Loyalty card holders |
| Asda | £13.60 - £14.40 | Rarely | Budget-conscious buyers |
| Morrisons | £14.00 - £15.00 | Rarely | In-store convenience |
| Specialist online retailers | £14.50 - £17.15 | Yes | Bulk buyers and carton deals |
For a detailed breakdown of how prices have shifted and which retailers consistently offer the best value, the guide on current Superkings prices across UK retailers is worth reading before you commit to a regular stockist.
Buying in cartons is where the real savings tend to appear. The per-pack saving on a carton versus buying ten individual packs can be meaningful over time. Not massive, but sorted, especially if you’re a regular smoker who knows their brand.
Where to Buy Superkings Cigarettes Online in the UK
Online purchasing of tobacco in the UK is legal but regulated. Retailers must verify the buyer’s age and comply with UK tobacco regulations2. The main options are:
- Major supermarket websites (Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons): Convenient if you’re already doing a grocery order, but stock can be patchy and carton deals are rare.
- Specialist tobacco retailers online: These often carry the broadest range of variants and are more likely to offer carton pricing. Worth comparing a few before ordering.
- Duty-free and specialist import retailers: For those buying in larger quantities or looking at international availability, options exist, though UK tobacco duty rules apply to purchases made for personal use within the country.
Superkings Menthol Ban and Current Market Availability
The May 2020 menthol ban is probably the biggest change the Superkings range has seen in decades. Under regulations derived from the EU Tobacco Products Directive, all cigarettes with a characterising menthol flavour were banned from sale in the UK. Superkings Menthol disappeared from British shelves overnight.
Gibraltar is the notable exception. Because Gibraltar operates under different regulatory arrangements, Superkings Menthol remains available there. For UK-based smokers, though, it’s gone. Full stop.
Some former Superkings Menthol smokers have switched to other variants within the range; others have moved to entirely different brands. If you’re curious about how similar regulatory changes have played out internationally, the piece on Superkings availability in Australia gives a useful parallel perspective on tobacco bans and market shifts.
The menthol ban didn’t just remove a product. For many smokers, it removed their brand entirely, forcing a switch they hadn’t chosen.
Superkings vs Other King-Size Cigarettes: Price and Format Comparison
How do superkings cigarettes uk stack up against other popular king-size and longer-format brands? The honest answer is that the format is genuinely different. Most cigarettes sold in the UK as
