History of Cigarettes in Alberta

Before the oil boom, Alberta was ranching country. Cowboys on the open range rolled their own cigarettes — loose tobacco in a cloth pouch, papers in a tin. Prince Albert tobacco (ironically named after the city in Saskatchewan) was the brand of choice. The “Prince Albert in a can” became a legendary symbol of western Canadian masculinity.

• 📦 Roll-your-own culture: Cowboys carried tobacco pouches and papers in their saddlebags. Rolling a cigarette by hand on horseback was a point of pride.
• 🏠 General store staples: Every small-town Alberta general store sold loose tobacco, rolling papers, and matches. Brands like Prince Albert, Old Chum, and Beech-Nut.
• 🔥 The campfire smoke: After a long day herding cattle, cowboys gathered around campfires to smoke, tell stories, and play cards.
• 🚬 Calgary Stampede origins: The Stampede (founded 1912) was — and still is — a place where tobacco culture is on full display.

The discovery of oil at Leduc in 1947 transformed Alberta. Thousands of men flocked to the oil fields — and they smoked. Heavily. The rigs were dangerous, the shifts were long, and cigarettes were a coping mechanism. Export ‘A’ and Player’s were the unofficial brands of the Alberta oil patch.

• 👷 Roughneck culture: Hard physical labor, extreme weather (-40°C winters), and camaraderie. A cigarette shared with a coworker was a bond.
• 🚬 The rig floor smoke break: Every hour, roughnecks would step away from the dangerous equipment, light up, and breathe.
• 🏕️ Camp life: Workers lived in remote work camps. The rec room always had ashtrays and cigarette vending machines.
• 💼 The industry connection: Tobacco companies sponsored oil industry events and gave out branded merchandise to rig workers.

The Calgary Stampede has always been a showcase for Alberta’s tobacco culture. For decades, cigarette companies were major sponsors of Stampede events — rodeo, chuckwagon races, and grandstand shows. The grounds were filled with branded signage, giveaway booths, and smokers enjoying the festivities.

• 🎡 Midway ashtrays: Every Stampede midway had ashtrays mounted on garbage cans — overflowing with butts by evening.
• 🤠 Cowboys and cigarettes: Rodeo riders were often photographed with a cigarette dangling from their lips — the rugged cowboy image.
• 📦 Free samples: Tobacco companies set up booths giving away free packs to adults — a major attraction.
• 🚭 End of an era: By the 2000s, smoking was banned indoors at Stampede venues, and tobacco sponsorship ended.

Albertans are pragmatic and independent. They’ve embraced native cigarettes in huge numbers — not just on reserves, but in cities, towns, and work camps across the province. The reasons are simple:

• 💰 Cost savings: Massive. A commercial carton = $180-220. A native carton = $35-50. The savings pay for a truck payment.
• 🚚 Delivery to anywhere: Cigstore.ca ships to every Alberta address — from Fort McMurray to Lethbridge, from Grande Prairie to Medicine Hat.
• 💪 Quality that satisfies: Brands like Playfare Full, Canadian Full, and DuMont Full deliver the strong taste that Albertans want.
• 🤠 Independence: Buying native cigarettes feels like a uniquely Albertan solution — bypassing high provincial taxes while supporting Indigenous businesses.