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If you’re looking for a smoother, lighter cigarette without giving up the ritual, you’ve got more options in Canada than most shoppers realize. Across the major Canadian brands sold online, there are over a dozen light cigarettes — same paper, same pack format, lower tar and a milder draw. This guide walks through every light cigarette currently available on buycigsonline.co, what makes a cigarette “light,” how the different brand lights compare on taste and strength, and which one to try first based on your usual full-flavor brand.
What Makes a Cigarette “Light”?
“Light” is a regulated term tied to tar and nicotine yield, measured by a machine that draws smoke through the cigarette under a standard protocol. In Canada, a light cigarette typically delivers noticeably lower tar and nicotine than the full-flavor version of the same brand. Most light cigarettes sit in the 6–10 mg tar range, compared to 12–16 mg for full flavor.
Lower yield doesn’t mean lower satisfaction — it means a different smoke. Lights are designed to feel easier on the throat, with a softer draw and often a slightly milder tobacco flavour. The trade-off: you don’t get the same throat hit or the same body of smoke, which is exactly why full-flavor smokers don’t usually switch straight to lights. The jump that works for most people is one strength tier at a time, not three.
Two practical notes before you pick one. First, lighter cigarettes tend to taste best when smoked at a relaxed pace — rushing a light makes it taste thin and unsatisfying. Second, the actual taste difference between two brands’ “light” variants is often smaller than the difference between one brand’s full-flavor and light. Brand matters, but the strength tier you choose matters more than the logo on the pack.
Light Cigarettes by Brand — Complete List
Below is every light cigarette currently in the BCO catalog, grouped by brand. Each one links straight to the product page so you can pull up packs or cartons directly. If you already have a brand you trust, jump to that section — lights from your usual brand are the closest match to what you already smoke.
Canadian Cigarettes — Lights
The Canadian Cigarettes Lights variant is the middle step in the four-variant Canadian Cigarettes lineup. It sits between the brand’s Canadian Cigarettes Full Flavor and the milder Canadian Cigarettes Ultra Lights. The Lights variant is a popular choice for smokers who want the brand’s familiar tobacco blend without the heavier throat hit of the full-flavor option. It’s also a sensible bridge for smokers cutting down gradually — start with full flavor, switch to lights, then drop to ultra lights over time.
The full Canadian Cigarettes range includes Canadian Cigarettes Menthol for smokers who prefer a cool profile. You can browse the full brand lineup on the cigarettes category page or read the in-depth Canadian Cigarettes brand guide.
Canadian Classics — Silver & Ultra Blue
Canadian Classics splits its lighter variants into two distinct profiles. Canadian Classics Silver is the brand’s straight “light” option — softer than Canadian Classics Original but still recognizably the same blend. Canadian Classics Ultra Blue goes a step further into ultra-light territory, paired with the brand’s signature blue-pack aesthetic.
If you want the brand’s cool-flavour profile rather than its lighter strength, Canadian Classics Menthol is the other option in the lineup. The brand page has the full breakdown — read it in the Canadian Classics complete guide.
Classics — Lights & Extra Lights
Classics (not to be confused with Canadian Classics) is a separate brand with its own four-variant structure. The brand offers two lighter options: Classics Lights Cigarettes for the standard light profile, and Classics Extra Lights Cigarettes for a milder draw still. The full-flavor reference point in the brand is Classics Full Flavor Cigarettes, with Classics Menthol rounding out the menthol option.
Rolled Gold — Light
Rolled Gold Light Cigarettes is the brand’s middle-of-the-lineup strength option, sitting between Rolled Gold Full Flavor and Rolled Gold Menthol. Rolled Gold is known for a smooth, slightly sweet tobacco blend — the light version preserves that character while dropping the strength. If you’ve smoked the full-flavor Rolled Gold and want to back off the intensity without changing brands, this is the move.
Playfare — Light & Ultra Light
Playfare gives you two lighter options in the same brand: Playfare Light Cigarettes and Playfare Ultra Light Cigarettes. The brand’s full-flavor reference is Playfare Full Flavor, and the menthol option is Playfare Menthol. Playfare’s ultra-light is one of the smoothest draws in the catalog — well suited to smokers who already find standard lights a touch too strong.
BB — Light
BB Light Cigarettes is the lighter variant in BB’s three-variant lineup. The brand’s other options are BB Full Flavor and BB Menthol. BB is a value-positioned brand — the light variant delivers the smoother draw at a lower price tier than most of the lights above. Read the full brand spotlight in the BB Cigarettes complete guide.
DK’s — Light
DK’s Light Cigarettes is the lighter half of DK’s two-variant lineup. The brand’s other option is DK’s Full Flavor. Like BB, DK’s is positioned as a value brand — the lights deliver a smooth profile at a price point that’s noticeably lower than the premium lights. See the DK’s brand guide for the full comparison.
Nexus — Light
Nexus Light Cigarettes is the brand’s smoother option, paired with Nexus Full Flavor. Nexus is a smaller brand in the catalog but it’s a useful alternative if you want a light that doesn’t share a blend family with the bigger names. Two options, two strengths — easy to pick.
Discount — Lights
Discount Lights Canadian Blend is the lighter option in the Discount brand’s three-variant lineup, which also includes Discount Full Flavor and Discount Menthol Canadian Blend. As the brand name suggests, this is the budget tier — the cheapest light cigarette currently in the BCO catalog.
Putters — Light
Putters Light Cigarettes is the lighter of Putters’ two variants, paired with Putters Full Flavor. Putters has a milder tobacco profile overall — even the brand’s full-flavor tends to draw smoother than some competitors’ full-flavor, so the light variant is genuinely light and well suited to smokers who find even standard lights a bit much.
dM — Smooth
dM Smooth Cigarettes is the brand’s lighter option. Note the wording — dM doesn’t use the “lights” terminology, instead branding its smoother variant as “Smooth” and its fuller option as dM Original. The naming choice reflects how mild the smooth variant is — it draws noticeably easier than most of the standard lights listed above.
Quick Matching Guide — Pick a Light by Your Current Brand
If you already smoke a full-flavor brand and want to try its lighter variant, this is the easiest path. The table below maps each full-flavor brand stocked at BCO to its matching light option, plus the ultra-light step if the brand offers one.
Brand | Light Variant | Ultra Light?
-----------------------|----------------------------------------|-------------
Canadian Cigarettes | Canadian Cigarettes Lights | Yes
Canadian Classics | Canadian Classics Silver | Yes (Ultra Blue)
Classics | Classics Lights | Yes (Extra Lights)
Rolled Gold | Rolled Gold Light | No
Playfare | Playfare Light | Yes
BB | BB Light | No
DK's | DK's Light | No
Nexus | Nexus Light | No
Discount | Discount Lights Canadian Blend | No
Putters | Putters Light | No
dM | dM Smooth | No
How to Pick the Right Light for You
Three questions usually settle it.
- What brand do you smoke now? Start with that brand’s light variant. The blend will be the closest match to what you’re used to, just smoother. If you’re a Canadian Cigarettes full-flavor smoker, the natural step down is Canadian Lights, not a random light from a brand you’ve never tried.
- How big a step down do you want? Lights are one tier below full flavor. Ultra lights are two tiers below. If full flavor feels too strong and lights still feel slightly strong, jump straight to ultra light rather than going through lights and finding them too much. Canadian Classics Ultra Blue, Classics Extra Lights, Playfare Ultra Light, and Canadian Cigarettes Ultra Lights are the four ultra-light options in the catalog.
- What’s your budget? The premium-positioned brands (Canadian Cigarettes, Canadian Classics, Playfare, Classics) tend to be priced higher per pack than the value-positioned ones (BB, DK’s, Discount). If you want a light that fits a tighter budget, start with the value tier.
Light Cigarettes vs Menthol — Don’t Confuse Them
Light and menthol are independent variables. A light cigarette is one with reduced tar/nicotine yield. A menthol cigarette is one with a cooling menthol flavour added. You can have any combination: Canadian Cigarettes Menthol is a menthol at full-flavor strength. BB Menthol is a menthol at full-flavor strength. Classics Menthol and Rolled Gold Menthol round out the menthol options.
Some smokers find menthol easier on the throat than a non-menthol light, because the cooling sensation offsets the bite. If you’ve tried a non-menthol light and it felt flat or thin but you don’t want to go back to full-flavor strength, a menthol at full-flavor strength is a reasonable alternative to a light non-menthol. The menthol cigarette guide covers this in more depth.
Buying Light Cigarettes Online in Canada
Online buying is the simplest way to compare lights across brands — most corner stores only carry two or three light options, and rarely stock the value-tier lights at all. The full catalog at buycigsonline.co carries every light listed in this guide, in both singles (pack) and cartons. Cartons are the better deal per stick — see the carton buying guide for the math.
If this is your first time ordering online, the first-time buyer’s guide walks through the age verification and shipping process. Most orders ship within one to three business days depending on the province.
Storage and Freshness Tips for Lights
Light cigarettes tend to dry out faster than full flavor because the paper is often slightly more porous. The same storage rules apply as for any cigarette — sealed in original packaging, away from heat and direct sunlight, in a low-humidity spot — but a light pack left in a hot car for a week will taste notably worse than a full-flavor pack left in the same conditions. Keep cartons sealed until you’re ready to smoke them.
Common Questions About Light Cigarettes in Canada
Are light cigarettes safer than full flavor?
This guide doesn’t take a position on that question — it’s a health regulatory matter outside what BCO covers. The relevant information for choosing is the taste and strength profile, not the relative risk. The brand-level pages above describe how each light tastes compared to its full-flavor sibling.
Which light cigarette is the smoothest?
By category, ultra lights draw smoother than lights, which draw smoother than full flavor. Within the lights tier, dM Smooth, Playfare Light, and Putters Light tend to come up most often in smoothness discussions — they all have naturally milder blends, so their lights are noticeably easy on the draw. The smoothest cigarettes guide covers this in more detail.
What’s the cheapest light cigarette in Canada?
In the BCO catalog, the value-tier lights are Discount Lights, DK’s Light, and BB Light. The discount cigarettes guide covers the value tier in detail. Prices shift — check the shop page for current pricing.
Should I switch from full flavor to lights gradually or all at once?
Gradually works better for most smokers. The first few lights after full flavor can feel unsatisfying if you switch cold. A common approach is to alternate — full flavor in the morning, lights the rest of the day — for a week or two, then move to lights full-time. The strength-levels guide has more on this transition in cigarette strength levels explained.
Where to Start
If you want one recommendation: pick the light variant of whatever full-flavor brand you currently smoke. That’s the lowest-friction starting point and lets you judge the strength drop on a blend you’re already familiar with. From the BCO catalog, the most commonly reordered lights are Canadian Cigarettes Lights, Canadian Classics Silver, and Classics Lights — all three are well-balanced lights that bridge cleanly from full-flavor smoking.
Browse the full cigarettes category to compare prices, or jump straight to the shop page to add a pack or carton to your order.