Imperial Tobacco is to extend its Lambert & Butler range with new L&B Blue from 3 March.

Available in packs of King Size 19s cigarettes and also in a smooth variant L&B Blue will be positioned within the sub-economy price sector with an rrp of £6.40.

Currently, economy and sub economy brands account for 43% of all cigarette sales according to Imperial Tobacco.

Imperial Tobacco senior brand manager Alison Williams said L&B Blue was expected to appeal to smokers who had switched from Lambert & Butler in the past. “It will also appeal to long time value smokers who previously haven’t been able to afford a product from the Lambert & Butler family,” she said.

Imperial is also launching www.lambert-and-butler-blue.co.uk so consumers can send it their feedback.