If you smoke regularly, cost matters. A lot. Most Canadians spend more on cigarettes now than ever because taxes keep going up. That’s why so many smokers start looking at First Nations cigarettes as an alternative.

Here’s the real breakdown without sugar coating it.

Price difference

• Commercial cigarettes in most provinces cost anywhere from 17 to 23 dollars a pack.

• First Nations cigarettes usually fall between 35 and 55 dollars per carton.

The gap is insane. Most smokers switching to Native brands save 200 to 400 dollars a month without changing how much they smoke.

Why they’re cheaper

They’re manufactured on First Nations territories. The tax structure is different. Less overhead. Less retail markup. Simple.

Do they smoke differently?

Yes. Most First Nations cigarettes have:

• a lighter burn

• a harsher drag depending on brand

• less chemical aftertaste

If you’re used to premium store-bought smokes, the first few days feel different. After that, most people don’t care anymore because of the savings.

Who buys Native cigarettes?

Not just people looking for “cheap smokes”. A lot of buyers just don’t want 20+ dollars taken off them every time they light up.

Bottom line

If price is the reason you’re switching, you’ll notice the difference on day one. If taste matters more, try a brand variety until you find one that matches your preference.