Peter Stuyvesant (cigarette)

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Peter Stuyvesant is a cigarette brand owned by British American Tobacco. In the United States it’s made by the American Cigarette Company, and in Australia and New Zealand it’s manufactured by Imperial Tobacco. The brand is named after Petrus Stuyvesant, a historical Dutch leader.

Origins and spread
- It started in South Africa in 1954, was tested in New York in 1957, and launched worldwide that year. Today it’s sold in many countries, with strong popularity in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and in parts of Europe.

Slogans and advertising
- The original slogan was “The scent of the big wide world,” later changing to “The taste of the whole wide world.” In the 1980s the brand grew through cinema ads and by giving cigarettes to airline passengers (KLM). British American Tobacco bought Peter Stuyvesant in 2003.

Prices and packaging
- Like many brands, it has faced price changes and packaging rules. In Malaysia, higher taxes in 2015 raised prices. In Australia, plain packaging laws led to changes in branding, and at times the company used tactics to keep the brand visible. In 2016–2017 Australian authorities challenged some of these practices, and BAT adapted its marketing.

Products and innovations
- The brand is known for packaging and filter innovations, such as menthol and charcoal filters, and special freshness features. It also used various naming and design strategies to appeal to different markets.

Art, culture and controversy
- The Peter Stuyvesant Foundation, founded in 1965, supported art and cultural projects, including the City Sculpture Project. The related Peter Stuyvesant art collection was expanded as BAT’s collections grew and was eventually sold in stages by 2010.

Recent history
- In 2020 South Africa imposed a temporary ban on tobacco products during the COVID-19 lockdown, which affected availability in neighboring countries.

Overall
- Peter Stuyvesant remains a premium cigarette brand with a modern, design-focused image, sold in many countries around the world and continuing to adapt to changing laws and markets.