(Reuters) - Cigarette maker Imperial Brands reported higher first-half operating profit on Wednesday, thanks to increased sales of tobacco alternatives and higher prices.

Adjusted operating profit grew 2.8% in constant currency to 1.67 billion pounds ($2.10 billion) for the six months ended March 31.

Analysts had expected a profit of 1.678 billion pounds in a company-compiled consensus.

($1 = 0.7942 pounds)

(Reporting by Eva Mathews in Bengaluru; Editing by Varun H K)