Benson & Hedges
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Benson & Hedges is a British brand of cigarette. They are registered in Old Bond Street in London. They are manufactured by Gallaher PLC in Lisnafillen, Ballymena, Northern Ireland for the UK market and by British American Tobacco PLC in Weybridge, England for other markets. The cigarettes are available in Gold or Silver forms.
It is one of the most popular brands available in the UK, particularly amongst the 16-30 age range of smokers. At £5.16 for 20 Golds (at the time of writing), they are relatively expensive compared to other brands. However, many believe this particular brand of cigarettes to be more pleasant. In contrast, Benson And Hedges Silvers are famous for being relatively cheap, in fact vending machines in pubs sell packs of 20 Silvers for £5 when all other brands cost £5 for just 16.
Benson & Hedges was founded in 1873 by Richard Benson and William Hedges as Benson and Hedges Ltd. The company was formed to make cigarettes for the then Prince of Wales, Albert Edward. Alfred Paged Hedges succeeded his father in the business in 1885, the same year which Richard Benson left the business. The 1900s saw branches of Benson & Hedges Ltd. opening in the United States and Canada. In 1928, the American branch became independent, it was bought by Philip Morris in 1958 who also purchased the Canadian branch in 1960. Benson & Hedges Ltd in the UK was acquired by Gallaher Limited in 1955.
In the 1930s, Benson & Hedges (Overseas) Ltd. was established by Abraham Wix to handle overseas trade. This branch was acquired by British American Tobacco in 1956. Today, British American Tobacco markets Benson & Hedges throughout Asia and the Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand, but excepting Taiwan and the Philippines. They also own branches in the Middle East and Africa. B&H is popular amongst young smokers in Australia.
Throughout the 1980s Benson & Hedges was the major sponsor of international cricket in Australia, holding the naming rights for most of the one day international tournaments such as the World Championship of Cricket. All sponsorship rights were relinquished when Australian federal government legislation banned tobacco advertising at sporting events. Similarly, for ten years (1990-2000) Benson & Hedges sponsored the Benson & Hedges Symphony of Fire until tobacco advertising restrictions were legislated by the Canadian federal government.
From 1878 until 1999, a Royal Warrant was issued to Gallaher on behalf of the product, however this was removed with the reasoning that the products were no longer used by the Royal Family. The Warrant seal, which had previously been on the flip lid of the box, was removed.
Popular slang for Benson & Hedges in the UK is 'B&H', as in "I'll have 20 B&H please". In addition to this some smokers will request "20 Bensons please." They are also colloqually called "Benny Hedgehogs" around the Black Country area of Britain.
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