Famous Canadian Cigarette Brands That No Longer Exist

Sweet Caporal (“Sweet Caps”)

Status: Discontinued (1970s-1980s)

One of Canada’s oldest and most beloved cigarette brands, Sweet Caporal was manufactured by Imperial Tobacco Canada and later by Rock City Tobacco (Quebec City). Known for its distinctive sweet taste and iconic packaging, “Sweet Caps” were a staple for generations of Canadian smokers. During World War II, Sweet Caporal packages featured a patriotic plea: “Don’t Forget The Boys Overseas: Send them ‘Sweet Caps’.” By the 1970s, declining demand and shifting consumer preferences led to its discontinuation [citation:2].

Black Cat

Status: Discontinued (1970s-1980s)

Black Cat was another iconic Canadian brand, produced by Rock City Tobacco in Quebec City. The brand featured a distinctive black cat logo and was popular among French-Canadian smokers. Like Sweet Caporal, Black Cat was a victim of market consolidation and changing tastes. The brand is listed among the “defunct in Canada” brands that disappeared in the post-war era [citation:2].

Craven ‘A’

Status: Discontinued (1990s)

Craven ‘A’ was originally a British brand manufactured in Canada by Rock City Tobacco. Known as a “super cork” cigarette, it was marketed as a premium product. While Craven ‘A’ survived longer than many other vintage brands, it was eventually discontinued in the 1990s. The menthol variant, Craven M, disappeared even earlier [citation:2]. Interestingly, the non-menthol Craven ‘A’ was still available into the 1990s, but plain packaging and corporate consolidation eventually killed it off [citation:2].

Lucky Strike (Canada)

Status: Expunged from Canadian trademark register (1994)

While Lucky Strike remains available in the United States, the brand was effectively discontinued in Canada. The trademark for Lucky Strike in Canada was registered in 1928 and owned by Imperial Tobacco Limited. However, the registration was not renewed and was declared “EXPUNGED” on September 9, 1994 [citation:1]. The brand became “INACTIVE/ENREGISTREMENT/ Annulée/Déclarée nulle” — cancelled and removed from the register [citation:1].

Gloria

Status: Discontinued (early 1900s)

Gloria is one of the oldest defunct Canadian brands. First distributed by the American Cigarette Company Ltd. of Montreal in the late 19th century, Gloria was later marketed by Imperial Tobacco Company of Canada. The packaging featured an allegorical image of America — a woman with Caucasian features wearing a feathered headdress and claw collar, attempting to embody a Native American [citation:3]. Inside the pack were 7 cigarettes made with “Old Virginia Tobacco” rolled in French rice paper [citation:3].

Sportsman & Belvedere

Status: Discontinued (1970s-1980s)

Sportsman and Belvedere were two additional brands that disappeared from the Canadian market. Sportsman was a mid-priced cigarette popular among working-class smokers. Belvedere — not to be confused with the premium vodka brand — was another Canadian cigarette that faded away in the late 20th century [citation:2].

MacDonald’s Menthol & Craven M

Status: Discontinued (1980s-1990s)

Before the 2017 federal menthol ban, several menthol brands existed in Canada. MacDonald’s Menthol, produced by Macdonald Tobacco (the makers of Export A), was a popular menthol option. Craven M was the menthol variant of Craven ‘A’. Both brands disappeared before the official menthol ban, victims of declining demand and corporate streamlining [citation:2].

Time

Status: Expunged from Canadian trademark register (1995)

The “Time” brand of cigarettes was registered in 1934 by The Tuckett Tobacco Company, Limited of Hamilton, Ontario. The registration covered “Tobacco, whether sold in the leaf, pressed as plug or twist, cut of ground as smoking tobacco or snuff, shaped or rolled as cigars or cheroots, or packed as cigarettes” [citation:5]. Like Lucky Strike, the Time trademark was not renewed and was declared expunged on March 17, 1995 [citation:5].

Other Defunct Brands

• Oasis: A defunct brand mentioned in collector forums [citation:6].
• Hit Parade: Another forgotten brand from the mid-20th century [citation:6].
• Spud: An early mentholated cigarette brand [citation:6].
• Turret: A budget brand from the 1930s-1960s [citation:6].
• British Consols: Produced by Macdonald Tobacco; discontinued after 1990s consolidation [citation:6].
• Winchesters: Another Macdonald brand that disappeared [citation:6].
• Mark Ten & Number 7: Budget brands from Rothmans, Benson & Hedges, largely discontinued [citation:6].
• Matinée: Imperial Tobacco’s “women’s cigarette” — discontinued in the 2000s.
• Peter Jackson: A British brand sold in Canada, now discontinued.
• Virginia Slims (USA): While not Canadian, this brand was sold in Canada and has largely been discontinued [citation:6].

Why Did These Brands Disappear?

• 🏭 Corporate Consolidation: Macdonald Tobacco was sold to R.J. Reynolds in 1974; Imperial Tobacco Canada was acquired by BAT in 2000. Global conglomerates streamlined their portfolios, killing off smaller Canadian brands [citation:9].
• 📦 Plain Packaging (2019): The elimination of brand colours, logos, and distinctive packaging erased brand equity, making it easier for companies to discontinue legacy brands.
• 🚬 Menthol Ban (2017): The federal menthol ban eliminated entire product lines, including menthol variants of legacy brands [citation:8].
• 📉 Changing Consumer Preferences: Younger smokers preferred different products; loyalty to heritage brands faded.
• 🏪 Retail Display Bans: Provinces like Nova Scotia (2007) banned tobacco displays, reducing brand visibility [citation:4].

From Lost Brands to Native Cigarettes

The disappearance of Canada’s legendary cigarette brands created a void. Today, native cigarettes from Cigstore.ca offer what the legacy brands no longer can: affordable prices, consistent quality, and a straightforward value proposition.

• 📦 Modern alternative: While Sweet Caporal and Black Cat are gone, native brands like Playfare, Nexus, and DuMont provide the same nicotine satisfaction at 70-80% less cost.
• 🪶 Indigenous-owned: Native cigarettes are manufactured by First Nations-owned companies — supporting Indigenous economic development.
• 💰 No tax burden: Tax exemptions allow native cigarettes to be sold at $29-55 per carton vs. $140-180 for commercial brands.
• 🛒 Direct to your door: Cigstore.ca delivers native cigarettes across Canada — no need to mourn lost brands when you can enjoy affordable, high-quality alternatives.