Bond Cigarettes is an international (non-US) brand of cigarettes produced by Philip Morris International. Formerly called “Old Bond Street”, the history of this brand goes back to year 1902. Philip Morris, the founder of the company, had a boutique on Bond Street in London. And 1902 was the year when one of the greatest admirers of the company, King Albert of Belgium, presented the boutique with the title of the Royal Tobacconist.

In the mid-nineties there was a process of re-branding – new, fresh design and hard box. In the 2006 a “premium” version, “Bond Street Special” was launched.

Philip Morris International Inc. is an American global cigarette and tobacco company, with products sold in over 200 countries with 15.6% of the international cigarette market outside the United States.

Until a spin-off in March 2008, Philip Morris International was an operating company of Altria Group. Altria explained the spin-off, arguing PMI would have more “freedom” outside the constraints of US corporate ownership in terms of potential litigation and legislative restrictions to “pursue sales growth in emerging markets.” The shareholders in Altria at the time were given shares in PMI, which was listed on the London Stock Exchange and other markets.

The company is headquartered in New York City, but does not operate in the United States, with Philip Morris brands there still owned by PMI’s former owner Altria.

Because tobacco, the main constituent of cigarettes, is the single greatest cause of preventable death globally and is addictive, the company’s operations (and its competitors) are highly controversial and are increasingly the subject of litigation and restrictive legislation from governments concerned about the health impacts of its products.

Its brands are Dji Sam Soe 234, L&M, Longbeach, Marathon, Marlboro, Minak Djinggo, ST Dupont Paris, U Mild, Philip Morris, Red and White, Basic, Bond Street, Chesterfield, Parliament, Lark, Merit, Morven Gold, Muratti, Skjold, Multifilter, Virginia Slims, Benson & Hedges (with British American Tobacco, Gallaher Group, and Japan Tobacco), Escort (with British American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco), John Player & Sons (with British American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco), and Peter Stuyvesant (with British American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco).