UK CPI basket weight: alcohol and tobacco
UK CPI basket weight: alcohol and tobacco stood at 37.17 parts per 1000 in 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Consumer price index weights table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 1988 to 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Consumer price index weights table
| Indicator | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPI basket, all items | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | |
| CPI weight by division | |||||||||||
| Alcoholic beverages and tobacco | 37.17 | 38.58 | 39.15 | 42 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 40 | 42 | 43 |
Understanding UK CPI basket weight: alcohol and tobacco
This metric evaluates the specific fraction of total household expenditure in the United Kingdom assigned to alcoholic beverages and tobacco products within the consumer price index framework. It aggregates spending on spirits, wine, beer, and fermented drinks alongside cigarettes, cigars, and related smoking paraphernalia, separating these excise-heavy goods from grocery and catering divisions. Excluded are items purchased outside households such as drinks consumed in licensed venues, which fall under hospitality categories, and illicit trade volumes not captured by official surveys. This share reflects combined shifts in retail pricing relative to other consumer goods and changes in household purchasing volumes driven by shifts in public health policies and duty adjustments.
Interpreting this index weighting requires noting the annual re-estimation process based on household expenditure surveys, which adjusts figures to match changing spending habits across the United Kingdom. Because excise duties change independently of general manufacturing costs, annual movements in this specific proportion can diverge significantly from broader retail components. Comparisons with historical figures must account for structural classification updates and alterations to tobacco taxation regimes. Analysts should evaluate year-on-year changes to understand how shifts in consumer demand alter the relative influence of these specific items on headline inflation calculations.
Frequently asked questions
- Why does this specific weighting change every year?
- Annual household budget surveys update the proportions to reflect shifting spending habits and relative price adjustments across the United Kingdom.
- Are pub and restaurant drink purchases included here?
- No, drinks consumed on licensed premises are classified under catering and hospitality services rather than alcoholic beverages.
- How do duty changes affect this series?
- Increases in excise taxes alter the relative price of these goods, which directly influences their recalculated share in subsequent index baskets.