The production of West cigarettes was founded on Old Bond Street in London. In 1878, the company received the so-called Royal Order, which was abolished in 1999. West was one of the first to sell tobacco in cans, rather than by weight, in order to preserve the freshness of the product. In 1885, after the death of Richard Benson, Hedges’ son Alfred Paget joined the company.
In 1899, West began its westward expansion with the opening of a branch and company store (which existed until 1950) in New York City. At this time, West cigarettes were positioned as premium and were made from complex bags of tobacco from around the world. Especially peculiar, for that time, the Parliament variety looked, thanks to the built-in mouthpiece.
Despite the fact that West cigarettes have existed on the Canadian market since 1906, the official branch opened only in 1967. It was this brand that brought the 100 mm cigarette to the Canadian market. In the late 1970s, Lights 100’s (Regular and Menthol) appeared, and in 1986, King Size.
In 1928, the American subsidiary of West was sold to an American group of businessmen, which included Hitt, Farwell & Company and Murray Hill Trust Company. And in 1954, the West cigarettes brand was resold to Philip Morris. But by that time, the British West opened its branches almost all over the world. In 1956, British American Tobacco acquired all branches of West, with the exception of English, Irish, Canadian, USA, Taiwan and Philippines.
West cigarettes are still in production. And they are still positioned as premium cigarettes of the highest class. The composition of cigarettes is Virginia or the so-called American blend, depending on the market. To buy West cigarettes at advantageous prices, please order them in our online store.