How Much Is a Pack of Cigarettes Online in Canada? [2025]

In 2025, the average price of a pack of cigarettes in Canada ranges from $12 to $20, depending on the province. Costs vary due to federal excise duties, provincial tobacco taxes, and retail markups. On Indigenous reserves and online from Indigenous-owned retailers, prices are often lower. A standard carton holds 200 cigarettes (10 packs), which usually provides better value per stick.

If you’ve ever wondered how much a pack of cigarettes costs in Canada today, the answer depends on where you buy them. In 2025, the national average ranges from $12 to $20 per pack, but prices shift dramatically across provinces. Taxes, excise duties, and retail markups all play a role — and so do alternatives like Indigenous reserve pricing and online ordering. In this guide, we’ll break down the latest costs, compare provincial averages, and show how cartons and reserve options can save you money.

Also see –  How Many Packs Are in a Carton of Native Cigarettes?

Average Cost of a Pack in Canada (2025 Update)

Across Canada, a standard pack of 20 cigarettes typically costs between $12 and $20. That means smoking a pack a day can add up to $350–$600 per month, depending on your province.

• Lowest averages: Quebec and Manitoba, where provincial taxes are lower.
• Highest averages: British Columbia and Newfoundland & Labrador, where both provincial taxes and retail markups push prices up.
  

Why Cigarette Prices Differ by Province

Federal Excise Duty

Every pack sold in Canada includes a federal excise duty, which is the baseline tax applied nationwide. This ensures all cigarettes start at a similar floor price before provincial taxes are added.

Provincial Tobacco Taxes

Each province then sets its own additional tobacco tax. For example:

• Ontario: Adds over $5 in tobacco tax per pack.
• BC: Adds some of the highest provincial levies, pushing average costs to nearly $20 per pack.
• Quebec: Keeps tobacco tax comparatively lower, making packs around $13–$14.

Retail Markups

Beyond taxes, convenience stores, gas stations, and corner shops apply their own markups. Location matters — urban centres often carry higher retail prices than small towns.

👉 This layered tax model is why two people buying the same brand can pay very different prices depending on where in Canada they live.

Why Cigarette Prices Differ by Province

Federal Excise Duty

Every pack sold in Canada includes a federal excise duty, which is the baseline tax applied nationwide. This ensures all cigarettes start at a similar floor price before provincial taxes are added.

Provincial Tobacco Taxes

Each province then sets its own additional tobacco tax. For example:

Retail Markups

Beyond taxes, convenience stores, gas stations, and corner shops apply their own markups. Location matters — urban centres often carry higher retail prices than small towns.

Reserve Pricing vs Store Pricing

One of the biggest differences in cigarette costs across Canada comes from where you buy them. Packs purchased at convenience stores or gas stations are always subject to full federal and provincial taxes, which is why they’re the most expensive.

On the other hand, many Indigenous-owned retailers on reserves offer lower pricing, as sales may be exempt from certain provincial tobacco taxes. This is why the same brand that costs $18 in a Vancouver corner store might be closer to $10–$12 when bought on-reserve.

Online ordering from Indigenous-owned retailers has also become a popular option. These stores typically ship cartons (200 cigarettes = 10 packs) directly to your door using Proof-of-Age delivery services, ensuring compliance with Health Canada’s rules.

Cost Snapshot — Pack Pricing by Source (2025 Averages)

Pack vs Carton Math

Cigarette pricing makes the most sense when you look at the per-stick cost. A standard carton contains 200 cigarettes (10 packs). Buying in cartons almost always saves money compared to picking up single packs from a convenience store.

Let’s look at the math:

• Single pack purchase: $18 (at a retail store in BC) → 90¢ per cigarette
• Carton purchase: $150 (10 packs online or on-reserve) → 75¢ per cigarette
• Savings per cigarette: 15¢, which adds up quickly for daily smokers.

Cost Comparison — Pack vs Carton (2025 Averages)

The bigger the order, the lower the cost per stick. That’s why many Canadians turn to cartons — especially from Indigenous retailers — to maximize savings while staying compliant with Proof-of-Age delivery requirements.

Cigarette Prices by Province (2025 Update)

Cigarette costs aren’t the same across Canada. Provincial taxes make the biggest difference, with western provinces like BC on the high end and Quebec on the low end. Here’s what the average retail price per pack looks like in 2025:

Average Cigarette Prices by Province — 2025

Inflation & Smoking Trends in Canada

It’s no secret that cigarette prices have steadily climbed over the years. In 2025, rising costs are partly due to general inflation across Canada, but also because of intentional tax increases. Governments raise tobacco taxes not just to generate revenue, but also to discourage smoking.

For smokers, that means each year feels a little more expensive at the checkout. A pack that cost $12 just a few years ago can now be closer to $17 in many provinces. While smoking rates have gradually declined nationwide, the people who still smoke often feel the pinch most when inflation drives up everyday expenses like groceries and gas — and cigarettes.

Where to Buy Cigarettes Online in Canada Safely

Buy cigarettes online has become a convenient option for Canadians who want better pricing and home delivery. But because tobacco sales are tightly regulated, it’s important to make sure you’re purchasing from a trusted retailer.

Key things to look for when shopping online:

• Indigenous-owned retailers: These businesses often provide lower pricing while supporting Indigenous communities.
• Proof-of-Age delivery: Canada Post and major couriers require government-issued ID at the door. This keeps transactions compliant with Health Canada rules.
• Carton-only sales: Most online shops sell by the carton (200 cigarettes, 10 packs), which helps lower the cost per pack.
• Canada-wide shipping: Look for vendors that guarantee delivery across all provinces with tracking.

At GOLD STAR SOMKES you get best Native Cigarettes online in Canada with free shipping we combine affordability with compliance. Every order is shipped from within Canada, includes Proof-of-Age delivery, and gives you access to carton deals you won’t find at convenience stores.

FAQs About Cigarette Prices in Canada

How much is a pack of cigarettes in Ontario in 2025?
In Ontario, the average pack costs $15–$17. Prices vary depending on the brand and retailer, but provincial tobacco taxes add several dollars to each pack compared to lower-tax provinces like Quebec.

Why are cigarettes cheaper on reserves?
Cigarettes sold on Indigenous reserves are often exempt from provincial tobacco taxes. This makes them noticeably cheaper than packs bought at convenience stores or gas stations. Many Canadians save by buying directly on-reserve or from Indigenous-owned online retailers.

How many packs are in a carton?
A standard carton contains 200 cigarettes, or 10 packs of 20. Cartons usually provide a lower cost per pack, especially when purchased on-reserve or online from Indigenous retailers.

Is it legal to buy cigarettes online in Canada?
Yes, it’s legal as long as the retailer follows Health Canada’s rules. Orders must be shipped within Canada, and couriers like Canada Post are required to check government-issued ID upon delivery to verify age.

Are cigarette prices going up in 2025?
Yes. Prices have continued to rise due to both inflation and planned increases in federal and provincial tobacco taxes. This trend is part of Canada’s broader tobacco control strategy to reduce smoking rates.

Conclusion: Paying Less for Cigarettes in Canada

Cigarette prices in Canada keep climbing, with most provinces charging between $12 and $20 per pack in 2025. Taxes, excise duties, and retail markups all play a role — but smart shoppers know there are ways to save. Buying cartons instead of packs lowers the cost per stick, and Indigenous-owned retailers often provide even better value while supporting local communities.

Explore our carton deals today and see why more Canadians are choosing trusted online ordering over expensive convenience stores.