A carton of cigarettes in Canada holds 200 cigarettes, packed as either ten packs of 20 or eight packs of 25. White Birch Post sells most of its brand-name and native cigarettes by the carton, and this guide explains the counts, why 200 is the standard and how a carton differs from a bag.
How many cigarettes are in a carton?
200. That's the standard in Canada, whatever the brand or size. The way those 200 are split depends on the pack count:
| Pack size | Packs per carton | Cigarettes per carton |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 10 | 200 |
| 25 | 8 | 200 |
So a carton of 25s has fewer packs than a carton of 20s, but the same total number of cigarettes. Our guide to cigarette pack sizes in Canada goes into the pack counts in more detail.
How many packs are in a carton?
Ten or eight, depending on the pack size. Ten 20-packs or eight 25-packs. If a product page lists a carton, check which pack count it uses — both add up to 200.
Is a carton the same for king size and regular?
Yes. A carton is 200 cigarettes whether they're regular (roughly 70 to 73 mm long) or king size (roughly 83 to 85 mm). The carton box is a little longer for king size, but the count doesn't change. See king size vs regular cigarettes for how the two sizes differ.
Why is a carton 200 cigarettes?
It's the long-standing industry convention, and it shows up in Canadian rules too. A few examples:
- Manufacturers pack and ship cigarettes in 200-count cartons across the industry.
- Canadian law sets a minimum of 20 cigarettes per pack, so the 10 × 20 and 8 × 25 layouts are the natural fits.
- Travel allowances. The Canada Border Services Agency's personal exemption for returning residents is set at 200 cigarettes — effectively one carton — subject to its conditions and the age rules of the province you enter.
What does a carton look like in Canada?
Plain, like the packs inside it. Since 2019, Canadian cigarette packaging has been standardised: drab brown, the brand name in a standard font, and prominent health warnings. The packs inside a carton use the slide-and-shell format and carry graphic warnings on the outside. Cigarettes themselves have carried individual health warnings since those rules were phased in from 2023. Our guide to Canada's cigarette packaging rules covers the details.
Is a carton different from a bag of cigarettes?
Yes — bags skip the packs entirely. Bagged cigarettes are native cigarettes sold loose in a resealable bag, without individual packs or a carton box. The count per bag is listed on each product, such as our bagged native smokes. Because there's less packaging, bags are usually the lowest cost per cigarette in the store.
Our guide to bagged cigarettes explained covers how they differ from packs and cartons.
Do native and brand-name cartons hold the same amount?
Yes, 200 cigarettes either way. Native brands — like Canadian Goose, dM or Rolled Gold — and GRE brands are sold in cartons of 200, the same as brand-name cigarettes like du Maurier or Export A. What differs is the manufacturer, the tax treatment and the distribution chain, not the carton count. See native vs brand-name cigarettes.
How should I store a carton?
Keep it sealed, cool, dry and out of direct sun. Leave packs in the carton until you need them, and avoid places that swing between hot and cold, such as a car. Our guide on how to store tobacco covers temperature, humidity and what to avoid. Store tobacco well out of reach of children and pets.
Can I order cigarettes by the carton 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 government-issued photo ID checked at the door. Orders to the rest of Canada, except Nunavut, ship by tracked Canada Post. Our guide to buying cigarettes online in Canada explains how ordering works.
The bottom line
A Canadian carton of cigarettes is 200 cigarettes: ten packs of 20 or eight packs of 25, the same count for regular and king size, native and brand-name. Bags are the exception, with no packs or carton at all. Browse cartons in our cigarettes section, or go straight to native brands or brand-name cigarettes.
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.