Alison Cooper, the CEO of UK tobacco group Imperial Brands, will step down as boss once her replacement is found, the company announced Thursday.

Cooper, 53, a 20-year Imperial veteran who spent nine years as CEO, will also leave the board of directors.

In a statement, chairman Mark Williamson praised Cooper for simplifying and reshaping the business to focus on Imperial’s strongest brands and markets, enhancing the company’s presence in the US market and developing next-generation products.

Imperial, the world’s fourth-largest tobacco outfit by market share, has been squeezed by a global backlash and heightened regulation against e-cigarettes.

The company, which owns the Blu e-cigarette brand, warned last month that sales and profits would be squeezed this year because of the crackdown — becoming the first global tobacco group to lay out the financial impact of the worldwide vaping alarm.

The company also makes Davidoff and Winston cigarettes.

It’s struggled to compete with bigger rivals and has had trouble selling its premium cigar business.

With Post wires