Benson & Hedges vs Davidoff: which premium name is for you
Benson & Hedges (1873, London) and Davidoff (Switzerland) are the two names most often compared at the top of the shelf. In Australia the comparison is narrower than shoppers expect, because packaging law has removed almost everything that used to differentiate premium cigarettes.
| Benson & Hedges | Davidoff | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | London, 1873 | Switzerland (house of Davidoff) |
| Position | Premium | Luxury / premium |
| Typical blend character | Fuller, traditional English-style blend | Refined, smoother-tiered blends, often slim formats |
| Duty per pack | ~$31.05 | ~$31.05 |
What the money buys
You are choosing between two blends and two finishes at the same duty. The difference in price is margin and positioning, not taxation, and it is smaller than the difference between either brand and a value name.
Smoothness and strength are your call, not the pack’s
Terms like “smooth” and “strong” describe blend character, and no legal Australian pack is allowed to imply a health distinction. If you are changing brands, match your current number and format and then adjust — that is the only reliable method.
Where premium brands get faked
Both names are heavily counterfeited. Counterfeit cartons typically fail three tests: warning text that does not match the Australian templates, no on-product filter message, and a price that cannot contain $310 of duty.
Before you order — four checks that never change
- Price against the excise floor. Duty is $1.55274 a stick from 1 September 2026 — about $31 in a 20-pack and $310 in a carton. At premium prices the duty is a smaller share of the shelf price — but it is still there, and still about $310 a carton.
- The pack in the photo. Legal Australian stock is drab brown (Pantone 448C) with graphic warnings covering at least 75% of the front and 90% of the back — no logos, no brand artwork.
- Age and delivery. Distance sellers must verify you are 18 or over, and somebody who can sign and show ID has to be at the address. Lockers and unstaffed addresses can be refused.
- State rules. South Australia prohibits mail and online tobacco orders outright; everywhere else requires an age-verification system.
Related reading
- what the numbers on the pack mean
- the 2026 packaging and health-warning rules
- the four-test scam check
This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. All tobacco products are harmful and state rules change — check your state or territory regulator before ordering. For help quitting call Quitline on 13 7848.