SEITA facts for kids

SEITA was a big company in France that used to be owned by the government. Its full name was Société d'exploitation industrielle des tabacs et des allumettes, which means "Industrial Company for the Operation of Tobaccos and Matches." SEITA was the only company allowed to make and sell tobacco products in France for a long time.

SEITA was famous for creating popular cigarette brands like Gauloises and Gitanes. Both of these brands were first made in 1910.

What Happened to SEITA?

In 1999, SEITA joined with a similar company from Spain called Tabacalera. When they merged, they formed a new, even bigger company named Altadis. This merger meant that SEITA, as a separate company, no longer existed.

Learn More

• Musée-Galerie de la Seita, which is a museum that shows many interesting objects related to tobacco.