The list of 12 good cheapest cigarette brands in 2024 will be very interesting. As 2024 got underway, a few well-known brands continued to have a significant influence on the American tobacco market. Every one of them has a devoted clientele and a distinct history. These companies still control most of the American tobacco business and continue to influence smokers’ preferences and decisions across the country. They reflect various facets of American smoking culture in addition to providing a variety of flavors and experiences.
Since their earliest documented use in the ninth century, cigarettes have been a part of human civilization for many millennia. The tobacco industry has developed into a vast, international business with hundreds of brands available, so the list of cheap cigarette brands is very important for users. Since every brand has a distinct flavor, attractiveness, and strength, it is difficult to rank the top cigarette brands impartially, so we had a difficult time compiling a list of the best cigarette brands for this year.
Many users would like to know: Did cigarettes go up in price today? A leading tobacco industry analyst said that starting on January 1, 2024, users of traditional cigarettes would see a new, considerable price increase per pack, and it was true. The list price, which represents what wholesalers pay manufacturers for their conventional cigarette products, is increased by 15 cents per pack for both menthol and nonmenthol varieties. It became even harder to create a list of the best cheap cigarettes brands. Additionally, Altria Group Inc. is raising the list price for several of its cigarette brands. One of the most well-known brands has a list price of up to 3%. The firm usually raises the price of its menthol cigarettes by 20 cents per pack; however, the nonmenthol brands are anticipated to see a similar hike. In these circumstances, many users reach for the list of cheap generic cigarette brands.
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Since many Google users search for good cheap cigarette brands near me, the value and popularity of well-known US cigarette brands are impacted by the ongoing price increases for cigarettes. British American Tobacco (BAT) estimates that it would lose about $31.5 billion due to the write-down of several of its brands because it believes its traditional market will not last. BAT reports that they had a 10.2% price decline, the lowest since September 2010. Similar forecasts from other cigarette makers led to Altria’s 3.4% decline and Phillip Morris’ 2.1% opening-year decline this year.
When looking for the 12 good cheapest cigarette brands in 2024 near me, you should know that lower prices are an expected result of increasingly stringent regulations and increased public awareness of health risks. They are squeezing the traditional business of tobacco corporations and causing cigarette quantities to drop in certain areas so many people are looking for the 10 best places to buy cheap cigarettes. Everyone agreed that conventional US tobacco producers ought to concentrate on substitutes. The corporation responsible for well-known cigarette brands acknowledged the economic challenges facing the US. They noted that illegal disposable vapes are also becoming more popular, and that some consumers, struggling with inflation, are choosing less expensive cigarette options.
British American Tobacco (BAT) recently announced a financial reporting change. Citing declining smoking rates and a finite lifespan for cigarette brands (around 30 years), they’re reassessing the value of some American brands on their books. This adjustment will impact the financial records of some of the world’s, and the US’s, most recognizable companies. Although some of those brands were on the list of the 11 cheapest cigarette brands in 2019, and even though they don’t think cigarettes will completely vanish from the market in 30 years, it’s no longer acceptable to give these well-known brands—which were once valued at around $80 billion on BAT’s financial sheet—an endless worth. There are a lot of good cheap cigarette brands in the USA, but making a list of them was not easy.
We used a specific approach to put together the roster of the most affordable cigarette brands for 2024. Initially, we had to establish what qualifies as “good cigarettes” and identify the choices people typically make when seeking a satisfying taste and aroma. We sought input from various websites offering professional opinions on popular brands, and we also delved into a list of good cheap cigarette brands Reddit, where individuals had already shared their lists of preferred brands. These insights aided us in crafting our own compilation of the most sought-after cigarette brands. Following that, we examined and ranked the official document outlining the minimum prices for cigarettes in the United States, a requirement that all sellers must adhere to. It’s important to note that the prices of these brands will be slightly lower in some countries, like Missouri, due to their specific taxes. There are also 16 states with the most expensive cigarettes in the US you should consider. With that in mind, here’s our list of 12 good cheapest cigarette brands in 2024.
12. Lucky Strike $49.55
Lucky Strike is, for this reason, on the list of 12 good cheapest cigarette brands in 2024. As the oldest American cigarette brand, dating back to 1871. It was initially introduced by Virginia Patterson as chewing tobacco, but by 1905, it had transitioned into a cigarette under the American Tobacco Company (ATC). The brand’s name was inspired by the Gold Rush era, suggesting that these cigarettes were a treasure for tobacco enthusiasts. In 1916, while other cigarette makers sun-dried tobacco leaves, Lucky Strike producers roasted theirs, resulting in a caramelized flavor with hints of chocolate and coffee. Originally packaged in green, the design changed to white with a red circle in the middle in 1942.
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11. Newport $54.40
Menthol cigarettes have an important place on the list of the 12 good cheapest cigarette brands in 2024. Lorillard Tobacco Company introduced Newport cigarettes in 1957, featuring a menthol flavor. The brand quickly gained popularity among African American smokers in the United States for its robust menthol taste and enjoyable smoking experience. Newport has remained a prominent menthol cigarette brand over the years. In 2015, Reynolds American Inc., the second-largest tobacco company in the US, acquired Lorillard Tobacco Company, thus taking control of Newport. Newport has solidified its position as the leading menthol cigarette brand, known for its strong and distinctive menthol flavor. Its success stems from its ability to provide a refreshing smoking experience, making it a top choice among menthol cigarette enthusiasts.
10. Marlboro (Gold) $57.86
It is for sure that Marlboro should be on the list of the good cheapest cigarette brands in 2024. Marlboro has long been an iconic American cigarette brand, renowned for its bold and satisfying flavour. Its popularity arises from consistently delivering an authentic smoking experience, making it highly sought-after across the USA. Marlboro holds the title of the world’s best-selling cigarette brand. The brand takes its name from Great Marlborough Street, where its original London Factory was located. In 1902, Philip Morris Company, a London-based cigarette manufacturer, established a New York subsidiary to distribute various cigarette brands, including Marlboro. In 1924, Marlboro was introduced as a cigarette targeted at women. By 1930, Marlboro cigarettes featured a greaseproof ivory tip to prevent lipstick smudges, followed by a red “Beauty Tip” in 1940. In 1954, Marlboro was rebranded as a cigarette brand for men.
9. Winston $70.15
Winston was introduced in 1954 by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and quickly rose to become one of the top-selling cigarette brands, using the slogan “Winston tastes good like a cigarette should.” By 1966, it had claimed the title of the world’s best-selling cigarette, a position it held until 1972, when Marlboro surpassed it. In the 1980s, Winston gained immense popularity in Puerto Rico with the slogan “Winston y Puerto Rico: No hay nada mejor” (Winston and Puerto Rico: There is nothing better). Despite being overtaken globally, Winston is one of the 10 cigarette brands with the least chemicals in the world so it remains the second most preferred cigarette brand outside the U.S., under Japan Tobacco ownership. However, within the U.S., Winston’s sales steadily declined, dropping to sixth place by 2005 in national surveys. Notably, the American version of Winston claimed to be additive-free in the late 1990s, leading to a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. This settlement required Winston to clarify in subsequent advertisements that the lack of additives did not make the cigarette safer.
8. Pall Mall $70.57
Pall Mall was established in 1899 by the Black Butler Company with a focus on appealing to the wealthy upper class. In 1907, American Tobacco acquired Pall Mall and used the brand as a platform to experiment with new packaging and tobacco stuffing techniques. This led to the creation of King size and 100-mm-size cigarettes, both of which were highly successful innovations. By 1960, Pall Mall had become the top-selling cigarette in the American market. However, due to declining sales, they were gradually phased out. In 1994, Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation acquired both Lucky Strike and Pall Mall. RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company took over Brown & Williamson in 2004 and continues to sell the Pall Mall brand in the US, while British American Tobacco handles its worldwide distribution. In the US, Pall Mall cigarettes typically range from $3 to $5, depending on the region, making them 50¢ to $1.25 cheaper than premium brands like Marlboro or Camel. They are known for their longer burn time compared to average cigarettes, often likened to Black N Mild filtered cigars. Pall Mall is generally considered a straightforward cigarette with little or no distinct flavor.
7. Camel $73.85
Camel cigarettes have long been a favored choice among smokers who seek a blend of tradition and rich flavor, and it deserves the place on the list of the 12 good cheapest cigarette brands in 2024. Renowned for its diverse range, including traditional and menthol varieties, Camel has solidified its reputation as a versatile and dependable brand. Camel, along with RJR, played a pivotal role in revolutionizing both the taste and advertising landscapes of the cigarette industry. Historian Nannie Tilley, in her book on The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, noted that “Camel became the catalyst for modernizing the cigarette industry.” In 1913, George Washington Hill acknowledged the brand’s revolutionary impact, while Tobacco magazine editors deemed it “standard.” Within a year of its introduction, production ramped up to meet soaring national demand, earning Winston-Salem the moniker “Camel City” due to RJR’s prolific output. Camel maintained its prominence through strategic advertising, sponsoring events such as NASCAR, Formula One, and Superbike racing series. Despite increasing tobacco regulations in the US and North Carolina, Camel remains a top-seller, available in over ninety countries worldwide.
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6. Nat Sherman $74.17
Nat Sherman, a venerable name in the American cigar industry, ceased its premium cigar operations at the close of 2020. The 90-year-old company shuttered both its wholesale cigar business and its iconic New York City retail location, the Nat Sherman Townhouse. This decision followed Altria, Nat Sherman’s parent company, announcing nearly a year earlier its intention to divest the premium cigar business. Despite interest from various potential buyers, no agreement was reached, exacerbated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Altria acquired Nat Sherman in January 2017. As part of the transition, Nat Sherman cigarettes were integrated into the Phillip Morris USA, Inc. family of cigarette brands, with all Nat Sherman cigarettes being manufactured by Phillip Morris USA, Inc. starting on August 12, 2020. Now, Nat Sherman is on our list of the 12 good cheapest cigarette brands in 2024.
5. Select – All Styles $74.17
In 1849, J.E. Liggett and Brother was founded in St. Louis, Missouri, by John Edmund Liggett (1826–97) as an extension of a family business established in 1822. George S. Myers joined the company in 1873, and in 1878, it was incorporated as Liggett & Myers Company. By 1885, it had become the world’s largest manufacturer of plug chewing tobacco, during a time when chewing tobacco was the most popular form of tobacco use in the United States. It wasn’t until the 1890s that the company began producing cigarettes. From 1899 to 1911, Liggett & Myers was part of the American tobacco trust. However, it reemerged after the dissolution of the trust by the U.S. Court of Appeals and was reestablished in 1911 as Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company, with its headquarters in Durham, North Carolina. Liggett Select, introduced in 1999 as a discount brand, quickly became the company’s bestseller. In 2011, Liggett Vector Brands announced an 8-cent price increase for their deep-discount brands, including Liggett Select, Eve, and Grand Prix. In 2017, Liggett Select underwent a redesign for all its variants, introducing a new pack design. You will be surprised to see which is in the first three places on our list of the 12 good cheapest cigarette brands in 2024.
4. Kool $79.28
Until Salem’s introduction in 1956 and Newport’s in 1957, Kool remained the dominant menthol brand in the market. By 1960, these three menthol brands collectively held a 12.4% share of the total cigarette market. B&W documents attribute the surge in menthol popularity to Salem’s shift of menthol cigarettes from medicinal products to everyday smokes. Kool abandoned its medicinal advertising approach in 1962. By 1965, menthol cigarettes claimed 17.6% of the total US cigarette market, with Salem capturing 50% and Kool 25% of the menthol segment. By 1970, Kool had increased its share from 25% to 35% of the menthol market, driven by its popularity among young adult males and African American smokers, so we put it on the list of the 12 good cheapest cigarette brands in 2024.
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3. L&M $83.89
L&M made its debut in 1953 under Liggett & Myers. Initially, the brand’s slogan touted “American cigarettes of the highest quality with the best filter.” Despite gaining popularity in Latin America, L&M struggled to make a significant impact in the United States until 2007, when there was a surge in demand for budget cigarettes. However, they remain relatively uncommon in the UK. Reportedly, L&M ranks as the third best-selling cigarette brand globally, with Phillip Morris International identifying them as their second best-selling cigarette after Marlboro. However, keep reading to find out which are the first two brands on the list of the 12 good cheapest cigarette brands in 2024.
