Tobacconist’s are still easy to find in Spain, and these Tabacs shops with their distinctive red and yellow branding are a common sight. It’s another thing that works as a bit of a novelty for me as a tourist because, not only do I not see this particular chain of stores in the UK, I also don’t see many tobacconist shops full stop.

Tobacconist’s were once quite common but, while they still exist, they are also far less common than they once were. Or in their older form, at least – there are now a huge number of vape shops, far more than there ever were in terms of traditional tobacconists.

The numbers of tobacco smokers in the UK has been in decline since the 1970s with a number of factors contributing, both from governmental policy (taxation, banning of tobacco advertising, mandatory health warnings on packaging, and restrictions on tobacco on display in certain retailers, and bans on smoking in public places – notably pubs, restaurants, and workplaces) and also changes in social acceptability.

I’m more than happy that the number of people smoking continues to decline – it’s a costly habit both for the smoker, and in terms of public healthcare, and from a personal note it’s not something I find pleasant to be around (my mum and my nan both smoked when I was younger and it was only after I left home that I realised how strong and breath-taking – not in a good way- the smell was upon going back to visit).

I will confess to being quite nostalgic for some of the tobacco advertising that used to be so commonplace, such as the Hamlet cigar adverts (like this one), or the Silk Cut and Benson & Hedges cigarette campaigns, which were surreal and imaginative, even if I had no desire to buy the product.

Olympus Trip 35 & Kodak Pro Image 100. Lab developed. Home scanned and converted with Negative Lab Pro.

Taken on 4 June 2025