Last reviewed November 3, 2026 · By the Native-Smokes.com team
Full flavour, light and ultra light are not three different kinds of tobacco. They are three points on one scale, and the biggest thing that moves a cigarette along it is how much air the filter lets in with each puff. Understanding that scale is the quickest way to find the cigarette that suits you.
What Moves a Cigarette Along the Scale
- Ventilation. A ring of tiny holes around the filter pulls in clean air as you draw. More holes mean more air mixed into each puff, so it tastes lighter and feels softer.
- The filter itself. A denser filter holds back more of the smoke and makes the draw firmer. Lighter blends often pair a more open filter with more ventilation.
- The blend. Brands tune the tobacco for each strength, so a light is usually smoother on its own, not just a full flavour with holes in it.
- Size. A slim holds less tobacco than a king size, so any blend in a slim feels a step lighter.
The Scale, Step by Step
| Strength | Air through the holes | Draw | Taste and feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra light | 50–70% | The easiest, most open draw | Airy and mild, with the tobacco in the background |
| Light | 20–40% | Easy, with a little more resistance | Smooth and rounded, with the tobacco clearly there |
| Full flavour | 0–15% | The firmest, most satisfying pull | The brand's tobacco at its fullest: rich, warm and long-lasting |
Typical industry ranges; each brand sets its own. How pressure drop works
The steps in between are real. Two lights from different brands rarely sit at exactly the same point, which is why it's worth trying more than one brand at the strength you like.
Full Flavour
Each brand's signature blend, with little or no ventilation. This is where you taste the tobacco itself most clearly. Our full flavours: BB's Full Flavour, Camo Full Flavour, Canadian Full Flavour, Canadian Classics Original, Canadian Goose Full Flavour, disCOUNT Full Flavour, DK's Full Flavour, Elite Full Flavour, Elite Full Flavour Slims, Krown Full Flavour, Rolled Gold Full Flavour, Divine Full Flavour, Playfare's Full Flavour, Canadian Full Flavour Slide & Shell, Playfare's Full Flavour Slide & Shell.
Light
More ventilation and a smoother blend. A good middle ground if a full flavour feels too heavy but you still want to taste the tobacco. Our lights: BB's Light, Camo Light, Canadian Light, Canadian Classics Silver, Canadian Goose Light, disCOUNT Light, DK's Light, Elite Light, Elite Light Slims, Krown Light, Putter's Light, Rolled Gold Light, Divine Light, Playfare's Light, Canadian Light Slide & Shell, Canadian Classics Silver Slide & Shell, Playfare's Light Slide & Shell.
Ultra Light
The most ventilation and the mildest taste on the scale, with the easiest draw. Our ultra lights: Canadian Classics Ultra Blue, Elite Ultra Light, Playfare's Ultra Light.
Menthol, Ice and Specialty Blends
Menthol and Ice add a cool layer on top of a tobacco blend, so they sit beside the scale rather than on it: how full they feel depends on the brand's base blend. Ice is the cooler, crisper of the two. Charcoal filters add a section of activated charcoal for a cleaner, smoother taste, and Elite's Smooth, Signature and Distinct are blends of their own. Menthol: Camo Menthol, Canadian Menthol, disCOUNT Menthol, Elite Menthol, Playfare's Menthol, Rolled Gold Menthol, Canadian Menthol Slide & Shell. Ice: Elite Ice. Charcoal: Elite Charcoal, Rolled Gold Charcoal.
Questions
What makes a light cigarette light?
Mostly the filter: tiny ventilation holes mix air into each puff, and the blend is tuned to be smoother.
Are light cigarettes healthier?
No. Light and ultra light describe taste and feel, not health.
Do light cartons cost less?
No, every carton is $49.00, with volume prices from 5 cartons.
From this guide: Light & ultra · All cigarettes · What makes a good cigarette: tobacco, cut and care · Filters and the draw: how a filter changes every puff · Switching brands? Find your match by style
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