Alison Cooper of the British tobacco manufacturer Imperial Brands will leave as soon as a successor is found. Last week the company came out with a profit warning, due to disappointing sales of vaping items after a series of deaths associated with the use of such e-cigarettes.

Cooper has been the head of the company that has been selling cigarette brands like Gauloises, Winston, Davidoff and Rizla papers for nine years. As long as the search for a successor is ongoing, Cooper continues to focus on its duties as Imperial Chairman, including a sale of the cigarette branch.

Vapes is an alternative to smoking in which a nicotine-containing liquid is evaporated. After the earnings alarm, the share price of Imperial fell sharply.