The history of cigarette production in Albania

Beginning of cigarette production in Albania

The most important place in the history of the cigarette manufacturing was particularly the city of Durres. Production of tobacco in Durres has had a long tradition. Specialists say that this product for the first time in Albania tobacco came through the port of Durres in the seventeenth century and the industrial production of its proper began in the last century in this city. The production in industrialized form (according to researcher at the history of Durres, Xhod Beja) started in 1913 and was consolidated with the establishment of a joint stock STAMLES (Shoqeri Tregtare Anonime Monopoli Letra e Shkrepse - Joint Stock Monopoly Letter & Matches)  in 1924 with the common assets of shareholders from the city of Durres and Tirana . According to the documents of the time , the Society was established with a capital of 500 thousand gold francs ,with shares of 100 gold francs .In the    STAMLES 's list are seen all the names of commercial and industrialists families of Durres : Beshiri, Shijaku, Dovana, Leka, Spiru, Papingji, Rrufa, Gjergo, Bodikian, Zaharian, Manushi, Zagurisha, Beja, Xhumrri, Çitaku, Toska etc. The total number of shareholders, among whom were factory workers and merchants from other cities of the country, reached 300. After liberation the industry had prevailed and highly competitive quality, there was great demand in eastern and western markets. It was reinforced with multiple units as a network fermentation and magazines and has employed over 1000 employees.

Cigarette factories during the period of Kingdom

Albania was and still is worldwide known for the excellent quality of his sun cured oriental tobacco. The Albanian cigarette industry was born in 1924 with the foundation of "S.T.A.M.L.E.S." cigarette factory in Durres. During the 20's, 30's and 40's a total of 16 cigarette factories operated in Albania, producing cigarettes for the domestic market. The most important factories have been S.T.A.M.L.E.S. and S.A.I.D.E.

- “Drini” Factory – Shkoder, has produced the brand  DUCALE

- “Gera” Factory – Shkoder

- “Shkodra” Factory – Shkoder, has produced the brand  KACANIK

- “Faslli Ademi” (Tarabosh) Factory – Shkoder

- “Musa Picari e Vllazen” Factory – Vore, has produced the brands  VORA TE FORTA, TIRANA TE BUTA

- “Sitki Rusi e Vellezerit” Factory – Shkodër, has produced the brand  DAFNE SPECIALE

- “Saralja” Factory – Shkoder, has produced the brand  EGIZIANE

- “Besa” Factory – Shkoder

- “Macedonia” Factory – Shkoder, has produced the brand  MACEDONIA

- “STAMLES” (Shoqeri Tregtare Anonime Monopoli Letra e Shkrepse) – Durres, has produced the brands  DIAMANT, KORCA, RAMAZAN, TRIUMF

- “SAIDE” – Shoqeria Anonime Industriale e Duhaneve, Elbasan, has produced the brands SPORT, DIANA, SOPOTI, KASTRIOTI, SKAMPA, MINERVA

- “Dumreja” Factory – Fier

- “Tomori” – Industria Shqiptare Cigaresh, Korçe, has produced the brand  LLUKS

- “Morava” Factory – Korçe

- “FIDEC” – Gjirokastër

- “STIDEC” – Sarandë

- “Elbasani” (Flora) Factory – Tiranë, has produced the brands  FLORA, ILIRIA, ZANA

- “Kosova” Factory – Prishtine, has produced the brands  LYBETEN, SHARRI SPECIAL.