Why Cigarette Pack and Rolling Tobacco Sizes Changed in Australia
Cigarette packs and rolling-tobacco pouches sold in Australia now follow more consistent sizing requirements.
These changes form part of Australia’s updated tobacco laws, which regulate the appearance, ingredients, names, packaging and permitted sizes of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
What Are the Standard Pack Sizes?
From 1 July 2025, tobacco products sold in Australia must comply with the updated requirements.
The standard sizes include:
- 20 cigarettes in each cigarette pack
- 10 packs in each cigarette carton
- 30 grams in each roll-your-own tobacco pouch
- 20 products in filtered-cigar and little-cigar packs
These requirements restrict the multiple pack and pouch sizes that were previously available.
Why Were Standard Sizes Introduced?
According to the Australian Government, varied tobacco sizes were sometimes used to differentiate products or make particular options more attractive to consumers.
Standardising cigarette and tobacco sizes is intended to:
- Reduce differences between tobacco products
- Make tobacco packaging more consistent
- Reduce the promotional appeal of different formats
- Make health warnings easier to display consistently
- Support Australia’s wider tobacco-control strategy
What Else Changed?
The reforms were not limited to package sizes. Other changes affect:
- Cigarette dimensions and filters
- Permitted ingredients and flavours
- Product and variant names
- Graphic health warnings
- Health-information cards inside packaging
- Messages printed on individual cigarettes
Certain flavours and accessories, including menthol and crush-ball devices, were banned. Names that could imply a positive quality or reduced harm were also restricted.
Do Online Tobacco Orders Follow the Same Rules?
Yes. Cigarettes and rolling tobacco supplied through an online retailer must meet the same Australian product and packaging requirements.
The requirements still apply when products are stored out of public view or are not shown in online photographs.
No tobacco product or level of smoking is safe, and all tobacco products are addictive.