How Much Do Cigarettes Cost in BC? Tax on a Carton
Key takeaways
British Columbia's tobacco tax is 32.5 cents per cigarette, which is $6.50 on a pack of 20 and $65.00 on a carton of 200, in force since 1 July 2021. Federal excise adds about $38.92 per carton, for about $103.92 of tobacco tax before sales tax. BC also lists tobacco among goods subject to its 7% provincial sales tax.
British Columbia’s tobacco tax applies to every tobacco product sold in the province. For cigarettes and tobacco sticks it is 32.5 cents each. The government’s own page turns that into $6.50 for a pack of 20, $8.13 for a pack of 25 and $65.00 for a carton of 200. The rate has been in effect since 1 July 2021.
Tax per pack and carton
| Item | Per pack of 20 | Per carton of 200 |
|---|---|---|
| BC tobacco tax | $6.50 | $65.00 |
| Federal excise duty (from 1 April 2026) | $3.89 | $38.92 |
| Combined, before sales tax | $10.39 | $103.92 |
Federal excise is the Canada Revenue Agency’s $0.97299 per 5 cigarettes, times 40 for a carton. We have not added any retail price, because no official source of typical shelf prices was available and we do not use seller or media figures.
PST on top
BC’s PST guide for small businesses puts tobacco in the group of goods taxed at the general 7% rate. The tobacco tax page, which is a separate document, is silent on PST, so we have not tried to compute the PST amount on a carton. Who owes it, and on what base, is a question for the ministry; its contact details are on the tax page.
Vaping is treated more heavily: the same guide shows a 20% PST rate on vapour products. The federal vaping duty and other provinces’ rules are on the vape tax page.
BC against Alberta and the rest
At $65.00 per carton, BC sits at the top of the provincial range we could confirm, level with Newfoundland and Labrador. Alberta charges $60.00, so a BC carton carries $5.00 more provincial tax. Ontario’s $36.95 is $28.05 lower. Only the Northwest Territories, at $68.80, is higher among the rates we confirmed. Federal excise is identical in all of them, so those numbers are the full difference in government tobacco tax.
Compare with Alberta, read the full ranking, or look up all rates and dates on the tax rates page.
Figures are estimates for planning. Actual prices and taxes vary by seller and date. Read the full disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the tobacco tax on a carton in BC?
$65.00 per carton of 200, or 32.5 cents per cigarette, according to the BC government's tobacco tax page. That is separate from federal excise duty.
Is PST charged on cigarettes in BC?
BC's small business guide to PST lists tobacco among taxable goods at the general 7% rate. The tobacco tax page itself does not address PST, so check with the ministry if you need to apply it to a specific sale.
Does BC tax vapes differently?
Yes. BC's PST on vapour products is 20%, compared with 7% for general goods. See the vape tax page for the federal and provincial rules.
Sources
- British Columbia: tobacco tax — Government of British Columbia. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Small business guide to PST — Government of British Columbia. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Excise duty rates — Canada Revenue Agency. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Alberta: tax and levy rates — Government of Alberta. Accessed October 27, 2026.