Over 200 tobacco shops opened since ban on tobacco sales for supermarkets

Over 200 tobacco shops have been opened in the Netherlands in the last year. There are currently almost 1,675 registered tobacco shops in the country when there were only 1,466 at the end of last year. This is the most significant increase since these numbers have been kept, according to data that ANP requested from the Chamber of Commerce (KvK).

Only a few stores registered themselves with the KvK every year since 2013. Some years also finished with fewer tobacco shops than the year before. The current increase is likely linked to the law that came into effect from July 1. Supermarkets and snack bars were not allowed to sell cigarettes, vapes, or any other tobacco-based products from that date onwards.

Supermarket chains like Albert Heijn and Lidl had already stopped selling tobacco products before this date. Smokers can now only buy tobacco products at tobacco shops, convenience stores, gas stations, and wholesalers.

The number of tobacco stores and convenience stores relatively increased the most in Flevoland and Zuid-Holland, according to the numbers from the KvK. This number rose from 19 to 29 in Flevoland, which is an increase of over 50 percent. There was a net increase of 109 cases in Zuid-Holland, which is an increase of 26 percent.

NSO Retail, the trade association for tobacco entrepreneurs, reported in the summer that smoke shops are seeing a sharp increase in turnover due to the sales ban. Petrol stations are also benefiting from this, trade organization Drive stated at the time.