The organized processing of tobacco in Zagreb began in early 19th century with the incorporation of a cigarette and tobacco manufacturing facility.

The industrial production started after the state monopoly on tobacco cultivation and processing imposed. In 1870, the tobacco factory, ‘Tvornica duhana Zagreb’, a state-owned entity, was founded.

Tobacco products were not advertised until the mid-20th century. The only promotional tool available to factories were the cigarette boxes. They served as a recognizable product identifier, conveying the quality, brand, and manufacturer’s name. The cigarette packaging reflected historical and political changes in Croatia during the first half of the 20th century.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Croatian brands were named after cities, rivers, or mountains in Croatia. During this time, promotional messages for tobacco products were broadcast on television and published in magazines.

Today, the packaging serves as a communication tool between the producers and the consumers and is an essential part of the tobacco industry’s marketing strategy.