King-size cigarettes in Canada are roughly 83 to 85 mm long, while regular-size cigarettes are roughly 70 to 73 mm. White Birch Post lists the size on every cigarette product, and apart from length and pack height, the two formats are sold the same way — same pack counts, same cartons, same plain packaging.
What's the difference between king size and regular?
Length. That's the defining difference:
| Regular | King size | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical length | About 70–73 mm | About 83–85 mm |
| Pack counts | 20 or 25 | 20 or 25 |
| Carton | 200 cigarettes | 200 cigarettes |
| Packaging | Plain, slide-and-shell | Plain, slide-and-shell |
These length bands are the ones Canadian health organisations used when describing the federal rollout of warnings on individual cigarettes, which treated the two sizes on separate timelines.
Why is it called "king size"?
It's an old industry term for a longer-than-standard cigarette. Once longer cigarettes became common in the mid-twentieth century, "king size" became the label for that format, and "regular" for the original length. The terms stuck, and Canadian brands still use them to describe their variants.
Is the diameter different?
No. King-size and regular cigarettes in Canada have the same standard diameter. Canada's plain-packaging regulations standardised cigarette dimensions as well as packs, and slim and superslim cigarettes are no longer permitted. So the only size difference you'll see between two variants is length.
Do king size and regular come in different packs?
The pack is taller for king size, but the counts are the same. Both come in packs of 20 or 25, and both come ten-to-a-carton (for 20s) or eight-to-a-carton (for 25s). Our guides to cigarette pack sizes in Canada and what a carton of cigarettes is cover the counts.
Did the per-cigarette warnings treat them differently?
Yes — they were phased in by size. Canada's regulations requiring a health warning printed on each individual cigarette came into force in August 2023, with deadlines staged by format:
- King size: warnings required on individual cigarettes at retail by the end of July 2024.
- Regular size (and little cigars): by the end of April 2025.
Both deadlines have now passed, so every cigarette sold legally in Canada carries a printed warning, whatever its length. Our explainer on Canada's cigarette packaging rules covers the warnings and the plain-pack requirements.
Does the size change the health risks?
No. Length is a format choice, not a safety feature. Neither regular nor king size reduces the health risks of smoking, and we don't rank them. Most brands simply offer both so customers can stick with the format they're used to.
Which brands come in both sizes?
Most of them. Brand-name lines like du Maurier, Player's, Export A and Canadian Classics are generally sold in both regular and king size. Native and GRE brands such as Canadian Goose, Putters or Podium often are too. Each product page shows the sizes we currently carry.
If you're not sure which company makes a brand, our guide to who makes Canada's cigarette brands has a lookup table.
How do I know which size I'm buying?
Check the variant name on the product page. Variants are usually labelled "king size" or "regular" in the product options. On a Canadian pack, any variant information appears as plain standard-font text, since plain packaging rules out visual cues like pack colour, and the pack is noticeably taller for king size. If you're re-ordering, match the size as well as the brand and pack count.
What about 100 mm cigarettes?
You won't find them on our shelves. Our range is regular and king size. If you're travelling and see longer formats elsewhere, remember that tobacco brought back into Canada is subject to Canada Border Services Agency rules.
How should I store either size?
The same way. Keep packs sealed, cool, dry and out of direct sunlight, and avoid places with big temperature swings like a parked car. Our guide on how to store tobacco has more.
Can I order king size or regular online?
Yes, if you're 19 or older. White Birch Post offers same-day delivery in Greater Sudbury on orders placed before the daily cut-off, with photo ID checked at the door, and tracked Canada Post shipping to the rest of Canada except Nunavut. See buying cigarettes online in Canada.
The bottom line
King-size cigarettes are about 83 to 85 mm long and regular cigarettes about 70 to 73 mm; diameter, pack counts, cartons and packaging are the same for both. Pick the size listed on the product page. Browse both formats in our cigarettes section, or narrow down to brand-name or native.
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.