Hamlet (cigar)

Hamlet are a well known brand of cigar produced by Benson and Hedges. They are available in several varieties, miniatures and also a regular length. They are regularly referred to as the 'mild cigar' in their advertising.

Hamlet cigars were first launched in the UK in 1964. More recently, Hamlet cigars have been launched in a number of western European markets.

They are most famous in the UK for their comical advertisements, cast by Paul de Freitas, which feature someone in an unfavourable position who finds that lighting a Hamlet cigar and smoking it relives them of their problems temporarily - played to the tune of Bach's Air on a G String.

Since the ban on tobacco advertising in the UK and much of Europe was implemeted, the adverts are no longer aired.