As I have read and watched enough period pieces to hear that term used fairly regularly in that context, it did not bother me. I can definitely appreciate your concerns, though. Guess it depends on what kind of background you expect your readers to have and how critical you feel authenticity is. Was that pretty much the exclusive term used for cigarettes at that time? Is there another authentic option? I don't know enough to be helpful on that point.
Yay for multiple weekly posts! Thanks for sharing this story with us.