Smoking may not be as common a habit as it used to be, but there are still plenty of smokers around the world. Because of how well-known the habit is, many people have developed slang terms to describe cigarettes or anything smoking-related.
In this post, we’ve gathered some slang words for cigarettes that you can use in reference to any smokers you may have in your life. Let’s jump right into it…
Slang Words for Cigarettes (in Alphabetical Order)
B
Baccy
Meaning:
- (Noun): Shortened spelling of “tobacco.” It can be used to refer to pipes or any other method of getting your tobacco fix, not necessarily just cigarettes.
- Example: “I get my daily baccy intake from cigarettes and chew.”
Blem
Meaning:
- (Noun): Slang word for cigarettes.
- Example: “Hey, can I get a blem from you?”
Bogies
Meaning:
- (Noun): Another word for cigarette. Can be used similarly to blem.
Bone
Meaning:
- (Noun): Word that describes a single cigarette. Can also refer to sexual intercourse.
Butt
Meaning:
- (Noun): The end of a cigarette that’s left over after someone has finished smoking.
- Example: “I wish my neighbor would stop tossing his cigarette butts into our yard.”
C
Cancer Sticks
Meaning:
- (Noun): A phrase for cigarettes that also doubles as a warning, reminding smokers of the potential consequences.
- Example: “Everyone has their vices. Mine is cancer sticks.”
Cards
Meaning:
- (Noun): Slang word for cigarettes that comes from how they could fit into a box of playing cards.
- Example: “Bro, do you got any cards on you?”
Chainsmoke
Meaning:
- (Verb): To smoke multiple cigarettes in a row, one right after the other.
- Example: “She spends her evenings chainsmoking in her backyard.”
Chimney
Meaning:
- (Noun): A person who smokes persistently, often, and relentlessly. This word compares them to an actual chimney, which often has puffs of smoke coming out of it.
- Example: “Jack smokes like a chimney, so I never like to be in the same room as him for long.”
Ciggies
Meaning:
- (Noun): Shortened way of saying cigarettes. Can be used any time you would otherwise say cigarettes.
Cigs
Meaning:
- (Noun): Another shortened version of cigarettes. Treat like you would ciggies.
Coffin Nails
Meaning:
- (Noun): Slang phrase for cigarettes that comes from the saying, “nails in the coffin.” Like cancer sticks, this one refers to how smoking a cigarette can have lasting health consequences.
- Example: “I’ve got a fresh box of coffin nails in my purse.”
Cowboy Killers
Meaning:
- (Noun): Dire phrase describing cigarettes. Similar to coffin nails in use.
D
Death Stick
Meaning:
- (Noun): A dark term for cigarettes that originally came from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones.
Dugan
Meaning:
- (Noun): New York slang term for cigarettes.
You can learn more NY slang in our guide to New York Slang words and meanings.
Durry
Meaning:
- (Noun): Australian slang term for cigarettes. It’s especially common in Sydney.
F
Fags
Meaning:
- (Noun): Australian and UK slang word for cigarettes. Keep in mind that you should avoid using this one in the US, as it is commonly used there as a derogatory term for members of the LGBT community.
Fresh Deck
Meaning:
- (Noun): Another phrase that relates to how cigarettes can fit into a box of playing cards. This one refers in particular to a brand-new box of cigarettes.
- Example: “I stopped by the gas station to buy a fresh deck.”
G
Gasper
Meaning:
- (Noun): Term for cigarettes that references how they can impact your lungs. Can be used similarly to phrases like cancer sticks, death sticks, or cowboy killers.
Grit
Meaning:
- (Noun): Less common word for an individual cigarette.
J
Jack
Meaning:
- (Noun): Another somewhat uncommon word for cigarettes.
Joes
Meaning:
- (Noun): Word for cigarettes that comes from Camel Joe, the old mascot for the Camel cigarette brand.
L
Loosey
Meaning:
- (Noun): A cigarette being sold individually rather than in a pack.
- Example: “I bought a loosey from the shop because packs are getting too expensive these days.”
Lung Darts
Meaning:
- (Noun): Another dark term for cigarettes, similar to death sticks or cancer sticks.
M
Menthols
Meaning:
- (Noun): A specific type of cigarette that creates a cooling sensation in your throat when you inhale due to the presence of menthol.
- Example: “I find it soothing to smoke menthols.”
R
Reds
Meaning:
- (Noun): Shortened way of saying Marlboro Reds, which are a certain brand of cigarette.
Refry
Meaning:
- (Noun): A cigarette that was previously smoked and then relit to be smoked again. This is often done by people who can’t afford to buy their own cigarettes.
Ripping Heaters
Meaning:
- (Verb): The act of smoking cigarettes. Usually, it means you’re smoking a lot of cigarettes in a row, so you can say it like you would say chainsmoking.
Rollies
Meaning:
- (Noun): Australian slang for cigarettes that have been rolled by hand.
- Example: “I like to make my own rollies so I get the most out of them.”
S
Smobriety
Meaning:
- (Noun): Combination of the words “smoke” and “sobriety.” It means you’ve quit smoking.
- Example: “I’m so proud of my smobriety.”
Smogs
Meaning:
- (Noun): Term for cigarettes that refers to how they appear to make smog in the air.
Smokes
Meaning:
- (Noun): Common US term for cigarettes.
Square
Meaning:
- (Noun): A term for cigarettes that references how they come in square boxes.
Stogs
Meaning:
- (Noun): Uncommon phrase referring to cigarettes.
Straights
Meaning:
- (Noun): A word for cigarettes that describes their shape.
T
Tabs
Meaning:
- (Noun): A word for cigarettes that comes from northeast England.
Wrap Up
You know what they say: old habits die hard. It’s not shocking that there are so many phrases to describe smoking and cigarettes around the world.
With the recent popularity of e-cigs, it’s likely that many of these phrases will continue to see use for years. We may even get to see the development of whole new slang specifically for e-cigs or vape pens.
We love learning new slang words. If you’d like to see more, check out our guide to slang words for no.
