Cigarette packs in Canada hold either 20 or 25 cigarettes, because federal law sets a minimum of 20 per pack. White Birch Post lists the pack count on every product page, and this guide covers the counts, the carton maths and the standard pack format all Canadian brands now use.
How many cigarettes are in a pack in Canada?
20 or 25. Those are the two counts you'll see on Canadian shelves. Smaller packs aren't allowed: under federal tobacco law, cigarettes may only be sold in packages of at least 20.
| Pack | Cigarettes | Packs per carton |
|---|---|---|
| 20s | 20 | 10 |
| 25s | 25 | 8 |
Either way, a carton holds 200 cigarettes. See what a carton of cigarettes is for more on cartons.
Why can't you buy packs of 10 in Canada?
Because the minimum package size is 20. Smaller packs were historically criticised for making cigarettes cheaper to buy in small amounts, which public-health advocates argued made them more accessible to young people. Canadian law closed that off by setting a minimum package size, and no brand sold legally here comes in packs of fewer than 20. Selling single cigarettes is likewise not permitted.
What's the difference between 20s and 25s?
Only the count per pack. A brand's 20s and 25s are generally the same cigarette in a different-sized pack:
- 20s — ten packs to a carton.
- 25s — eight packs to a carton; each pack is a little larger.
Not every brand or variant is sold in both counts. Each product page shows the pack options we carry, such as Player's, Belmont or Export A.
What size are the packs themselves?
Standardised. Canada's plain-packaging rules don't just set the colour; they also set the format. Since November 2021, cigarette packs have had to use the slide-and-shell design — a rigid cardboard tray that slides out of an outer sleeve — with no rounded or bevelled edges and prescribed dimensions. The format was chosen partly to give more room for health warnings.
Before that, most Canadian packs were flip-top boxes. You may still remember them, but they're no longer sold.
Do king size and regular cigarettes come in different packs?
Yes, the pack is sized to the cigarette. King-size cigarettes (roughly 83 to 85 mm) need a slightly taller pack than regular cigarettes (roughly 70 to 73 mm). The count per pack — 20 or 25 — works the same for both. Our article on king size vs regular cigarettes explains the lengths.
Are slim cigarettes sold in Canada?
No. Canada's plain-packaging regulations also standardised the cigarettes themselves, and slim and superslim cigarettes are no longer permitted. Every pack on the shelf now holds standard-diameter cigarettes.
What's printed on a Canadian cigarette pack?
The brand name, the variant, the count and the warnings. Every pack is a drab brown colour with the brand name in a standard font, and large graphic health warnings cover most of the front and back. Since 2023, warnings have also been phased onto individual cigarettes. Packs sold legally in Canada also carry an excise stamp showing duty has been paid. Read Canada's cigarette packaging rules for the full set of requirements.
How do bagged cigarettes fit in?
They don't use packs at all. Bagged cigarettes are native cigarettes sold loose in a resealable bag, without individual packs or a carton box. The count per bag is shown on each product. Our guide to bagged cigarettes explained covers how they work.
Do native brands use the same pack sizes?
Yes. Native and GRE brands like Deerfield, Yellowstone or Rold Leaf are sold in packs and cartons too. What sets native brands apart is the manufacturer, tax treatment and distribution — see native vs brand-name cigarettes.
Can I buy cigarettes by the pack online?
Availability depends on the product. Most cigarettes on White Birch Post are sold by the carton, and each product page shows exactly what's available. We sell to adults 19 and over only, with same-day delivery in Greater Sudbury on orders placed before the daily cut-off and tracked Canada Post shipping to the rest of Canada, except Nunavut. See ordering tobacco online in Ontario.
The bottom line
Canadian cigarette packs hold 20 or 25 cigarettes — never fewer, by law — and a carton is always 200: ten 20s or eight 25s. All packs use the same plain slide-and-shell format. Browse pack and carton options in our cigarettes section.
White Birch Post sells to adults 19 and over only. Smoking is harmful to your health. If you're thinking about cutting back or quitting, our responsible use page lists free Canadian support services.