Camel (cigarette)

Camel is a brand of cigarettes introduced by U.S. company R.J. Reynolds Tobacco (RJR) in 1913. Camels contain a blend of Turkish and United States tobacco.

Overview

Camel cigarettes were blended to be considerably easier to smoke in contrast to the much harsher brands popular at the time of its introduction. In addition, they were promoted, prior to official release, by a careful advertising campaign that included "teasers" which merely stated that "the Camels are coming." This marketing style was, in fact, a prototype for attempts to sway public opinion that coincided with the United States' entry into the First World War, and later the Second World War. Another promotion strategy was the use of a Circus camel, 'Old Joe', which was driven through town and used to distribute free cigarettes. Old Joe was used as the model for the camel on the package.

The brand's catch-phrase slogan, used for decades, was, "I'd walk a mile for a Camel!"

The most famous variety of Camel cigarettes was the soft pack of the regular, unfiltered variety. Camel regulars achieved the zenith of their popularity through personalities such as news broadcaster Edward R. Murrow, who smoked up to four packs of Camel regulars per day, in effect using a Camel cigarette as his trademark.

In late 1987, RJR created Joe Camel as the mascot for the brand. In 1991, the American Medical Association published a report stating that 5- and 6-year olds could more easily recognize Joe Camel than Mickey Mouse, Fred Flintstone, Bugs Bunny or even Barbie. This led the association to ask RJR to pull the Joe Camel campaign. RJR declined, but further appeals followed in 1993 and 1994. On July 10, 1997, the Joe Camel campaign was retired and replaced with a somewhat more adult campaign which appealed to the desires of twenty-somethings to meet or as the case may be, actually be beautiful and exotic women (desires they nonetheless share with teenagers) in 1930s attire and themes.

In 2005, Camel instigated new changes to the Turkish flavors by adding the name on the cigarette paper and changing the filter color and design. A blend called "Turkish Silver", a light version of either the Turkish Gold or Royal varieties, also became available that year. When smoked, the text on the paper is often still visible on the ashes.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the city where R.J.R. was founded, was nicknamed "Camel City" at one time because of the brand's popularity. However, this name is passing out of usage among locals.

From 1972-1993, Camel was the title sponsor of the then-popular IMSA auto racing series.

Package

The camel in the logo is of the dromedary variety. In other languages than English, a distinction is made between camels and dromedaries, so the name and image don't coincide. The name was chosen because in the early 20th century travels to far away places were in vogue and a camel symbolised that nicely.

The package artwork was used by progressive rock band Camel for their second album Mirage (including the package sides to make for a square image).

The Camel pack is featured prominently in Tom Robbins novel Still Life with Woodpecker, billed as "a love story that happens inside a pack of cigarettes."

Background

Curiously, the background of the scene appears to be Egyptian rather than Turkish, an inconsistency with the content of Turkish tobacco.

Naked man

Of trivial interest is the image of the camel on the packet itself. When closely inspected, the shading in the upper part of the camel's front leg may appear to resemble a man, with one arm behind his back, facing toward the rear of the camel, and apparently sporting a large erection. Recent packs appear to have somewhat different shading, possibly indicating RJ Reynolds became aware of the picture.

Package texts

The reverse sides of most packs or boxes of Camel cigarettes display the following text:

Turkish tobacco is the world's smoothest, most aromatic leaf. Blending it with more robust domestic tobaccos is the secret to Camel's distinctive flavor and world-class smoothness.

The reverse side of unfiltered "soft pack" Camel cigarettes, as of December, 2005, displays this text:

Don't look for premiums or coupons, as the cost of the tobaccos blended in CAMEL Cigarettes prohibits the use of them.

Or alternatively can be seen displaying the text (later removed from some packets with the introduction of health warning messages):

Camel, a premium blend of the finest quality tobaccos, provides genuine smoking pleasure.

Varieties

Camel cigarettes come in the following varieties:

Subtle Flavour (Blue in UK)
Orange (often seen in Italy)
Filters (King Size and 99s)
Lights (King Size and 99s)
Ultra Lights (King Size and 99s)
Smooth
Wides FIlters
Wides Lights
Wides Menthol
Wides Menthol Lights
Menthol
Menthol Lights
Regular (unfiltered)
Camel Rare
Special Lights (King Size and 99s)
Turkish Jade (Menthol; King Size and 99s)
Turkish Jade Lights (Menthol; King Size and 99s)
Turkish Silver
Turkish Gold (King Size and 99s)
Turkish Royal
Kamel Reds
Kamel Reds Lights
Kamel Menthe
Kamel Menthe Lights

In addition, "Exotic Blends" have been available in tins. These include:

Orange
Samsun
Basma blast
Cinnzabar
Twist
Crema
Izmir Stinger
Rare
Rare Menthol
Dark Mint
Mandarin Mint
Mandalay Lime
Aegean Spice
Bayou Blast
Beach Breezer
Margarita Mixer
Midnight Madness
Back Alley Blend
Kauai Kolada
Twista Lime
Warm Winter Toffee
Winter Mocha Mint
Snake Eyes Scotch
BlackJack Gin
ScrewDriver Slots

External links

1913 establishments | R.J. Reynolds brands

R. J. Reynold Tobacco Company | Camel