Camel is a brand of cigarettes that was introduced by American company R.J. Reynolds Tobacco in the summer of 1913. Most current
Camel cigarettes contain a blend of Turkish and Virginia tobacco.
Camel cigarettes were originally blended to have a milder taste in contrast to brands that were considered much harsher at the time of its introduction. They were advance promoted, prior to official release, by a careful advertising campaign that included "teasers" which merely stated that "the Camels are coming" (a play on the old Scottish folk song, "The Campbells 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 historical style of Camel cigarettes is 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.
From 1972-1993, Camel was the title sponsor of the then-popular IMSA auto racing series, titled as Camel GT, as well as between 1987 to 1991, it sponsored the Lotus Formula One team and in the nineties, sponsored the factory Honda team in the AMA Superbike series.
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.[1] This led the association to ask RJR to terminate 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 be -- beautiful and exotic women (desires they nonetheless share with teenagers) in 1930s attire and themes.
In Europe, Camel is also a brand of cigarette rolling papers and cigarette roll-your-own tobacco. It maintains a top 20 level brand of RYO tobacco and papers in Northern Europe with yearly expansion into Southern and Eastern Europe according to the European Subsidiary's annual report.
In 2005, Camel implemented 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 both the Turkish Gold and Royal varieties, also became available that year. After burning, 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, titled as Camel GT, as well as between 1987 to 1991, it sponsored the Lotus Formula One team and in the nineties, sponsored the factory Honda team in the AMA Superbike series.
The Turkish tobacco that is used in Camel cigarettes has a much more distinctive odor when burned as compared to other cigarettes. It generally has a darker, browner smell to the smoke.
Camel brand of cigarettes were first blended to produce a milder taste in comparison to other brands that were considered harsh at this time. Because the cigarettes were made from Turkish tobacco, the cigarettes were much smoother and easier to smoke, in turn, drawing more smokers to the brand simply for the taste alone.
Today, there are many varieties of Camel cigarettes available to the consumer. Some of these different types include:
- No. 9 (full flavored and 100's)
- Regular filtered (full flavored, 100's, and 99's)
- Lights filtered (full flavored, 100's, and 99's)
- Ultra lights (full flavored and 100's)
- Wides filtered
- Wides lights
Camel has also introduced a menthol variety of cigarettes. Many of the regular flavors of Camel cigarettes can be purchased in a menthol version also.
There are many other varieties of Camel brand cigarettes on the market today. Although most varieties are available in the United States, some types are only available in certain countries. For example, Subtle Flavour Camels are only available in the UK and Chile. You can also purchase your favorite style and flavor of Camel cigarettes from an online cigarette dealer. They will ship them right to your front door for your added convenience.
