Cigarette vending machines were not available in the UK after 2011. Long before 2011, however, snuff was also available from vending machines at collieries and after c. 1929 many train station platforms also had snuff vending machines along with those for cigarettes and chocolate.
This example (from J&H Wilson’s collection) offered those familiar little boxes for two shillings (pre-decimal imperial) each. It illustrates how relatively expensive snuff was before 1978 but also how much more common snuff-taking used to be in England.
The last vending machine I remember (J&H Wilsons S.P. No.1) was located near ‘Laddie’ the Airedale Terrier, still collecting for charity despite being stuffed in a glass box, at Wimbledon station. (How long has it been since dogs with money boxes strapped on their backs trotted around British railway stations? Certainly before my time! These days the dogs would be mugged for their charity boxes).
