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Imperial Tobacco

Imperial Tobacco was a British tobacco company founded in 1901 through the merger of 13 British tobacco manufacturers.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Imperial Tobacco was a British tobacco company founded in 1901 through the merger of 13 British tobacco manufacturers. In 2016, it changed its name to Imperial Brands PLC and continued as an international tobacco and nicotine products company headquartered in Bristol, England, with corporate headquarters in London in later company descriptions.

History

Imperial Tobacco was formed in 1901 by merging several British tobacco firms, including W.D. & H.O. Wills and John Player & Sons. Sources describe the merger as a defensive response to pressure from James Buchanan Duke’s American Tobacco Company.

Corporate evolution

The company later became Imperial Tobacco Group plc and changed its name to Imperial Brands PLC in 2016. The name change reflected a broader portfolio beyond traditional tobacco products.

Products and markets

Imperial has marketed cigarettes, cigars, snuff, rolling papers, and tubes, and later expanded into other nicotine and tobacco-related categories. Company and reference sources describe its products as being sold in more than 70 countries, and in some accounts more than 160 countries.

Headquarters and scale

Historical and reference sources place the company’s roots in Bristol, England. Imperial is described as one of the major international tobacco companies and a leading British tobacco manufacturer.

Key facts

  • Founded in 1901 as a merger of 13 British tobacco companies.
  • Created in part as a response to competition from the American Tobacco Company.
  • Became Imperial Brands PLC in 2016.
  • Has sold cigarettes, cigars, rolling papers, snuff, and other tobacco-related products.
  • Expanded internationally and has been described as one of the world’s largest tobacco companies.
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Canadian context

Imperial Tobacco has operated in global tobacco markets that include Canada through international distribution and brand competition, making it relevant to Canadian readers interested in tobacco industry history and regulation.

Frequently asked questions

What is Imperial Tobacco?
Imperial Tobacco was a British tobacco company founded in 1901 that later became Imperial Brands PLC.
When was Imperial Tobacco founded?
It was founded in 1901.
Why was Imperial Tobacco created?
It was formed by British manufacturers to strengthen their position against competition from the American Tobacco Company.
What is Imperial Tobacco called now?
The company changed its name to Imperial Brands PLC in 2016.
Where was Imperial Tobacco based?
Its historical base was Bristol, England; later corporate descriptions also note London as the corporate headquarters.

References

  1. Imperial Brands PLC — https://www.imperialbrandsplc.com/who-we-are/our-history
    Supports: Company history and self-description as a challenger business.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/money/Imperial-Brands-PLC
    Supports: Founded in 1901, product lines, international scale, and London corporate headquarters.
  3. TobaccoTactics — https://www.tobaccotactics.org/article/imperial-brands/
    Supports: Founding in 1901, name change in 2016, and product portfolio details.
  4. UK Parliament — https://www.parliament.uk/
    Supports: Historical evidence that the company was formed in 1901 from a merger of 13 British tobacco companies and based in Bristol.