In Canada, cigarettes are classified according to their nicotine content. There are four levels of nicotine: 0%, 3%, 6%, and 12%.
This article will explore the cost of cigarettes in each category, as well as how taxation that affects the prices.
How Much Do Cigarettes Cost in Canada?
The cost of cigarettes in Canada varies depending on where you are in the country. On average, you can expect to pay around $12.33 per pack.
In general, cigarettes can be expensive anywhere in Canada, but some specific cities and regions have higher prices than others.
Here are the average prices for cigarettes in different Canadian provinces and territories:
- Newfoundland and Labrador: $8.29 per pack
- Nova Scotia: $9.51 per pack
- Quebec: $10.89 per pack
- Ontario: $11.36 per pack
- Manitoba: $11.99 per pack
- Saskatchewan: $12.59 per pack
- Alberta: $13.19 per pack
- British Columbia: $13.69 per pack
- Yukon Territory: N/A (Yukon Territory does not have its own province, so prices for cigarettes are set by the federal government)
Cigarette Prices in Canada
According to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the price of cigarettes in Canada decreased by 5.8% in 2018.
In 2017, the price of cigarettes was $7.54/pack, while in 2018 it was $7.14/pack.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives attributes this decrease to a combination of higher taxes (71% increase since 2012) and tighter regulations on tobacco production and marketing.
Here are the latest cigarette prices in Canada:
| BRAND AND SIZE | PRICE PER PACK (C$) | PRICE PER CARTON (C$) |
|---|---|---|
| Accord Blue King Size LK 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Acord Blue Regular (LR) 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Accord Red King Size (SK) 20’s | $12,50 | $125,00 |
| Accord Red King (LK) 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Accord Red Regular 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Accord Ultra Mild Menthol King Size 20’s | $12,50 | $125,00 |
| Avanti du Maurier Slim Cigarettes King Size 20’s | $12,50 | $125,00 |
| Avanti du Maurier Slim Cigarettes King Size 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Avanti du Maurier Slim Cigarettes 100 mm 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Avanti du Maurier Light Slim King Size 20’s | $12,50 | $125,00 |
| Avanti du Maurier Light Slim King Size 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Avanti du Maurier Light Slim 100 MM 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Belmont King Size 20’s | $13,65 | $136,50 |
| Belmont Regular 20’s | $13,65 | $136,50 |
| Belmont Large Regular 25’s | $15,99 | $127,92 |
| Belmont Large King Size 25’s | $15,99 | $127,92 |
| Belmont Silver LK 25’s | $15,99 | $127,92 |
| Belmont Silver Reg 20’s | $13,65 | $136,50 |
| Belmont Silver King Size 20’s | $13,65 | $136,50 |
| Belmont Silver SR 20’s | $13,65 | $136,50 |
| Belmont silver (LR) 25’s | $15,99 | $127,92 |
| Belvedere King Size Filter 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Belvedere Regular 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Belvedere Filter Tip Mild Virginia 20’s | $15,00 | $150,00 |
| Belvedere Filter Tip Mild Virginia 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Benson & Hedges Black King size 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| benson & Hedges Gold King Size 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Benson & Hedges Lights 100 MM 25’s | $14,99 | $119,92 |
| Benson & Hedges De Luxe Ultra Lights 100 MM 25’s | $14,99 | $119,92 |
| Camels Blues Lights 20’s | $14,99 | $149,90 |
| Canadian Classic Original/Blue 20’s | $13,81 | $138,10 |
| Canadian Classic Rich/Red 20’s | $13,81 | $138,10 |
| Canadian Classic Silver 20’s | $15,19 | $151,90 |
| Craven A Pearl King Size 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Craven A Original Regular 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Craven A Special King size 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Du Maurier Signature King Size 20’s | $12,99 | $129,90 |
| Du Maurier Signature King Size 25’s | $14,99 | $119,92 |
| Du Maurier Signature Regular 20’s | $12,99 | $129,90 |
| Du Maurier Distinct King Size 20’s | $12,99 | $129,90 |
| Du Maurier Distinct King (LK) 25’s | $14,99 | $119,92 |
| Du Maurier Distinct Regular 20’s | $12,99 | $129,90 |
| Du Maurier Distinct Regular 25’s | $14,99 | $119,92 |
| Du Maurier Distinct Silver Regular 20’s | $12,99 | $129,90 |
| Du Maurier Disintct Silver Large 25’s | $14,99 | $119,92 |
| Du Maurier Distinct Silver King Size 20’s | $12,99 | $129,90 |
| Du Maurier Distinct Silver King Size 25’s | $14,99 | $119,92 |
| Du Maurier Nano Blue 90 mm 20’s | $13,99 | $139,90 |
| Du Maurier Mellow Blend Regular 20’s | $12,99 | $129,90 |
| Du Maurier Mellow Blend King Size 20’s | $12,99 | $129,90 |
| Du Maurier Mellow Blend Regular 25’s | $14,99 | $119,92 |
| Du Maurier Mellow Blend King Size 25’s | $14,99 | $119,92 |
| Du Maurier Fine Cut Special Blend King Size 20’s | $14,99 | $149,90 |
| Du Maurier Fine Cut Special Blend 100 mm 20’s | $14,99 | $149,90 |
| Du Maurier Light 100 MM 20’s | $14,99 | $149,90 |
| Dunhill King Size 20’s | $15,00 | $150,00 |
| Dunhill King Size 25’s | $17,00 | $136,00 |
| Dunhill Special Reserve King Size 20’s | $15,00 | $150,00 |
| Export A Smooth/Gold 25’s | $15,80 | $126,40 |
| Export A Rich/Red Regular 20’s | $12,75 | $127,50 |
| Export A Dark Blue 20’s | $12,75 | $127,50 |
| Export A Ultra Smooth Regular 25’s | $14,34 | $114,72 |
| Export A Light Regular 20’s | $14,34 | $143,40 |
| Export A Light King Size 20’s | $14,34 | $143,40 |
| John Player Special Regular 25’s | $14,27 | $114,16 |
| John Player Special King Size 25’s | $14,27 | $114,16 |
| John Player Standard Bold Regular 20’s | $11,00 | $110,00 |
| John Player Standard Bold King Size 20’s | $11,00 | $110,00 |
| John Player Bold Taste (LR) Regular 25’s | $12,00 | $96,00 |
| John Player Bold Taste (LR) King Size 25’s | $12,00 | $96,00 |
| John Player Standard Blue Regular 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| John Player Standard Blue King Size 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| John Players Plus Red Regular 20’s | $12,99 | $129,90 |
| John Player Plus Red King Size 20’s | $12,99 | $129,90 |
| John Player Choice Regular 20’s | $11,00 | $110,00 |
| John Player Choice King Size 20’s | $11,00 | $110,00 |
| John Player Plus Mellow King Size 20’s | $13,50 | $135,00 |
| John Player Smooth King Size 20’s | $11,00 | $110,00 |
| John Player Smooth Taste Regular 20’s | $11,00 | $110,00 |
| John Player Smooth Taste King Size 25’s | $12,00 | $96,00 |
| John Player Smooth Taste Regular 25’s | $12,00 | $96,00 |
| John Player Rich Taste Regular 20’s | $11,00 | $110,00 |
| John Player Rich Taste King Size 20’s | $11,00 | $110,00 |
| John Player Rich Tast Regular 25’s | $12,00 | $96,00 |
| John Player Rich Taste King Size 25’s | $12,00 | $96,00 |
| MacDonald Special Red King Size 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| MacDonalds Special Red King Size 25’s | $13,50 | $108,00 |
| MacDonalds Special Red Regular 25’s | $13,59 | $108,72 |
| MacDonald Special Blue King Size 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Marlboro Canadians 20’s | $14,27 | $142,70 |
| Marlboro Rooftops 20’s | $12,99 | $129,90 |
| Marlboro Black/Red 20’s | $12,99 | $129,90 |
| Marlboro Blue Smooth Taste 20’s | $12,99 | $129,90 |
| Matinee Extra Mild King Size 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Matinee Extra Mild King Size 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Matinee King Size 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Matinee King Size 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Matinee Regular 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Matinee Mellow King Size 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Matinee Mellow Regular 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Matinee Mellow Regular 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Matinee Mellow King Size 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Matinee Subtle King Size 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Matinee Subtle Regular 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Matinee Subtle King Size 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Matinee Subtle Regular 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Medallion King Size 20’s | $13,00 | $130,00 |
| Medallion King Size 20’s | $13,00 | $130,00 |
| Next Red King Size 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Next Red King Size 25’s | $14,00 | $112,00 |
| Nexr Red Regular 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Next Blue King Size 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Next Blue King Size 25’s | $14,00 | $112,00 |
| Next Blue Regular 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Next Blue Regular 25’s | $14,00 | $112,00 |
| Next Gold King Size 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Nexr Gold King Size 25’s | $14,00 | $112,00 |
| Next Gold Regular 25’s | $14,00 | $112,00 |
| Next Green-Menthol King Size 25’s | $14,00 | $112,00 |
| Next Duo King Size 20’s | $13,00 | $130,00 |
| Number 7 Red King Size 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Number 7 Red Regular 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Number 7 Lights King Size 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Number 7 Lights Regular 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Number 7 100mm 20’s | $15,00 | $150,00 |
| Number 7 Blue King Size 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Number 7 Blue Regular 25’s | $15,00 | $120,00 |
| Pall Mall Gold Regular 25’s | $13,00 | $104,00 |
| Pall Mall Gold King Size 20’s | $13,00 | $130,00 |
| Pall Mall Lights (Blue) 20’s | $12,50 | $125,00 |
| Pall Mall Special Red King Size 25’s | $13,00 | $104,00 |
| Pall Mall Special Red Regular 25’s | $13,00 | $104,00 |
| Pall Mall Special Red Regular 20’s | $13,00 | $130,00 |
| Pall Mall Special Red King Size 20’s | $13,00 | $130,00 |
| Pall Mall Special Red XL 20’s | $13,00 | $130,00 |
| Pall Mall Special Red King Size 20’s | $13,00 | $130,00 |
| Pall Mall Special Blue King Size 25’s | $13,00 | $104,00 |
| Pall Mall Special Blue King Size 20’s | $13,00 | $130,00 |
| Pall Mall Special Blue Regular 25’s | $13,00 | $104,00 |
| Pall Mall Special Blue Regular 20’s | $13,00 | $130,00 |
| Pall Mall Special Blue XL King size 20’s | $13,00 | $130,00 |
| Pall Mall Gold Regular 25’s | $13,00 | $104,00 |
| Pall Mall Gold King Size 20’s | $13,00 | $130,00 |
| Peter Jackson Charcoal Filter King Size 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Peter Jackson Charcoal Filter Regular 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Peter Jackson Full Flavor Regular 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Peter Jackson Full Flavor Regular 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Peter Jackson Full Flavor King Size 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Peter Jackson Full Flavor King Size 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Peter Jackson Select Flavor King Size 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Peter Jackson Select Flavor King Size 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Peter Jackson Select Flavor Regular 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Peter Jackson Select Flavor Regular 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Peter Jackson Smooth Flavor King Size 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Peter Jackson Smooth Flavor Regular 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Peter Jackson Light King Size 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Player’s Original Regular 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Player’s Original Regular 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Player’s Blue King Size 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Player’s Blue King Size 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Player’s Blue Regular 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Player’s Blue King Size 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Player’s Blue Regular 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Player’s Rich Flavour Regular 25’s | $14,62 | $116,96 |
| Player’s Rich Flavour King Size 25’s | $14,62 | $116,96 |
| Player’s Rich Light Regular 20’s | $12,99 | $129,90 |
| Player’s Smooth Taste Regular 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Player’s Smooth Taste King Size 20’s | $11,99 | $119,90 |
| Player’s Smooth Taste King Size 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Player’s Smooth Taste Regular 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Player’s Plain King Size 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Player’s Black & Red Regular 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Player’s Black & Red King Size 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Playe’s Black & Silver Regular 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Playe’s Black & Silver King Size 25’s | $12,99 | $103,92 |
| Viceroy Red King Size 25’s | $11,99 | $95,92 |
| Viceroy Red King Size 20’s | $10,99 | $109,90 |
| Viceroy Red Regular 25’s | $11,99 | $95,92 |
| Viceroy Red Regular 20’s | $10,99 | $109,90 |
| Viceory Blue King Size 25’s | $11,99 | $95,92 |
| Viceroy Blue Regular 25’s | $11,99 | $95,92 |
| Viceory Blue King Size 20’s | $10,99 | $109,90 |
| Viceory Blue Regular 20’s | $10,99 | $109,90 |
| Vogue DS Perle Rosee Slims 20’s | $12,99 | $129,90 |
| Vogue DS Perle Rogue 20’s | $12,99 | $129,90 |
| Vogue DS Perle Bronze 20’s | $12,99 | $129,90 |
| Vogue Purple Super Slim 20’s | $13,99 | $139,99 |
The Effect of Tax on Cigarette Prices in Canada
The Canadian government has a variety of taxes on cigarettes that affect the price of cigarettes. The most important tax is the federal excise tax, which is imposed at $1.01 per pack of 20.
In addition to the federal excise tax, there are provincial sales taxes (PSTs) that range from 10% to 25%. The combined effect of these taxes makes cigarettes in Canada much more expensive than in the United States.
The list below shows the prices of cigarettes in Canada as of February 2019. The prices are for a pack of 20 cigarettes and are based on the price of a pack of cigarettes in Toronto, Ontario.
Price per Pack Cigarettes
- ($CAN) Toronto
- $8.98 Windsor
- $10.93 Ottawa
- $11.80 Calgary
- $11.89 Edmonton
- $12.68 Vancouver
- $13.49 Winnipeg
- $14.30 Halifax
- $14.92 Saint John’s
- $15.79 Moncton
- $16.57 Kitchener-Waterloo
- $17.39 London, ON
- $19.05 Windsor, ON
The Amount of Tobacco Tax Collected in Canada
The amount of tobacco tax collected by the Government of Canada in 2012 was C$13,564,640, representing an increase of 1.5% from the previous year. This represents a total revenue of C$133.7 billion, which is generated through the excise taxes and other charges levied on cigarettes, tobacco products and other nicotine-containing products.
Since 1996, when the Tobacco Tax Act was amended to include a federal/provincial share of cigarette taxes, the federal government has collected C$51.1 billion in tobacco taxation revenue while the provinces have collected C$39.8 billion. The remaining C$14.3 billion has been distributed among all levels of government in Canada.
The amount of tobacco tax collected by each province varies depending on the size and population of that province. The five provinces that generate the majority of their revenue from cigarette taxes are Ontario (39%), Quebec (27%), British Columbia (9%), Alberta (8%) and Nova Scotia (6%).
In 2012, there were 120 brands of cigarettes available in Canada, with an average price of C$11.24 per pack. The five brands with the highest prices were Marlboro ($14.98 per).
Conclusion
As Canada moves to curb smoking, cigarette prices are going up. Tobacco companies have responded by hiking the cost of cigarettes across the board, with some brands increasing their prices by as much as 60%.
In addition to tobacco companies, retailers also have a hand in setting prices. Some tobacco stores have even started charging an extra C$5 on top of packs of cigarettes. However, not all places are following suit with these price hikes and there are still many locations where cigarettes are cheap or even free.
FAQ
How much is a pack of 20 cigarettes in Canada?
The price for a pack of 20 cigarettes in Canada varies depending on the type and brand of cigarette and the location. On average, you can expect to pay around $12.33 per pack.
How much is a carton of cigarettes in Canada?
Each brand imposes its own price for a carton of cigarettes, ranging from $95 to $150. Evidently, the answer to ‘how much do cigarettes cost in Canada?’ may vary throughout the country.
Where does tobacco tax money go in Canada?
The money collected from tobacco taxes in Canada is typically used to fund several government programs and initiatives, such as public health campaigns and insurance benefits. Some of the money may also be used to offset the cost of tobacco-related illnesses.
