A generational tobacconist in historic downtown Nanaimo serving Vancouver Island and international travelers
Smoke Rings has earned a reputation as the premier smoke shop on Vancouver Island, drawing customers from Victoria, the Cowichan Valley, Port Alberni, and communities across the North Island. Visitors from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland make it a planned stop, and international travelers arriving by cruise ship often discover it as an unexpected highlight of their Nanaimo visit.
This regional and global reach speaks to the shop’s expertise, its curated selection, and the generational legacy behind its doors.
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In the heart of downtown Nanaimo—The Harbour City of Vancouver Island—Smoke Rings stands as a respected and enduring destination for cigars, pipes, and fine tobacco. Located on Church Street, the shop has become a fixture for locals and travelers alike, offering a curated experience built on knowledge, tradition, and exceptional product selection.
The humidor spans the west wall, stocked with cigars from Cuba, Nicaragua, and celebrated producers around the world. Opposite it, shelves display an expanded array of pipes and blended pipe tobaccos, curated with care and expertise. Smoke Rings also offers humidors, accessories, loose cigarette tobacco blends, and packaged smokes.
Expertise is part of the experience. Cigar customers often arrive with questions about brands, origins, and pairings—and the staff is ready. The proprietor Erin continues the legacy of founder Steve, who brought his vision from Winnipeg to Nanaimo decades ago. Erin's son Leo learned directly from his grandfather, then immersed himself in the extensive library of cigar history and brand literature Steve left behind. Leo has since broadened the pipe selection and refined the shop’s custom pipe tobacco blends.
In 2025, Smoke Rings welcomed a young tobacconist trained in Toronto’s cigar scene. Brett's arrival in Nanaimo allowed the store to expand to full seven‑day service, now open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
Church Street offers convenient street parking and sits among cafés, boutiques, the Hullo Ferry terminal, and a full‑service hotel overlooking Nanaimo Harbour. Cruise ship passengers often discover Smoke Rings as an unexpected delight during their visit.
Founder Steve, who carried his passion for tobacco to the west coast, would surely rest easy knowing the shop he built continues to thrive as a generational business in the scenic core of the City of Nanaimo.
Smoke Rings maintains an updated website at smokerings.ca, featuring current product availability, directions, and contact information. Customers seeking specific cigar brands can call 250‑591‑5050.
Must be 19+ to visit the store or website
