New Cigarettes Look Like Candy

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New Cigarettes Look Like Candy

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

R.J. Reynolds is coming out with a new smokeless tobacco. And kids are gonna love 'em!

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. is introducing three smokeless dissolvable products, Camel Orbs, candy-shaped lozenges, Camel sticks, a twisted stick resembling a toothpick and Camel strips (a strip that dissolves on your tongue). The products, packaged in colorful metal tins, are due to go on shelves in January.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids isn't too happy about R.J. Reynolds' latest cigarette incarnation: "They are likely to appeal to children because they are flavored and packaged like candy, are easy to conceal even in a classroom and carry the Camel brand that is already so popular with underage smokers."

R.J. Reynolds cigarettes have a long history of allegedly marketing to children. In 1997 Joe Camel was stricken from advertisements after a 1991 report, (well, long after the report) from the Journal of the American Medical Association, that concluded more young children could recognize the cartoon camel than could recognize Mickey Mouse.

As recently as 2005, flavored cigarettes with yummy names like Mandarin Mint, Izmar Stinger, Twist, and Creamy Mellow Mint caused an uproar and were eventually pulled from the shelves. The company finally agreed to "stop identifying cigarettes with candy, fruit, desserts or alcoholic beverage names, imagery or ads."

Um, does putting smokeless cigarettes in packaging that resembles candy tins count?

cigarette candy gallery see more photos blow energy drink

Click to see "Marketing Mishaps" gallery.

7 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

this is as usual outrageous. stop killing our children with these products obviously meant for our kids.

- Anonymous

Posted 10/15/08 11:19 AM

It’s not R.J.Reynolds job to make sure our kids don’t smoke - it’s our responsibility as parents. Stop blaming your kids problems on someone else.

- Karen Addler

Posted 10/15/08 11:32 AM

AS MANY THINGS COMING FOR, THIS IS ONE MORE SIGN OUR PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR MINDS.

- mickey wood

Posted 10/15/08 11:40 AM

I have to agree with Karen. It’s our responciblity to talk to our kids about what is right and wrong. Even if they are marketed to be attractive to children, they are still only legal to purhase if your 18 or older. If they want to find a way around that they will reguardless of if it’s cigs, alcohol, or any of these products

- Ki

Posted 10/16/08 07:52 AM

This is retarded. This is one thing that I am tired of…parents putting the blame on everyone but themselves. Children, no matter what, are going to do what they are going to do. Here’s a genius idea, TALK TO YOUR KIDS!!!

- Tracy

Posted 10/16/08 09:05 AM

Are you kidding me? I am instilling in my children NOT to smoke & that smoking kills….why the heck the fancy packaging…we don’t want our children to smoke so why entice them with this crap??

- ROGO

Posted 10/16/08 02:15 PM

I dont know when you people are going to realize that the tabacco company doesnt care if kids smoke, they want money. Any way possible. So it doesnt matter what kind of packaging they put them in, and it doesnt matter what flavor they are, kids will be kids. Anything thats off-limits to them makes them want to do it more. How about, instead of trying to find someone or something to blame, we turn to faith instead. Lets have faith that our children wont want to try them. And if they decide to, lets pray that it goes down the wrong tube and they cough for hours. Lets just imagine that our children are just as smart as we give them credit for. Because they are. The generations just keep getting smarter and smarter. Believe in your kids and trust that they’ll make the right choice. They might actually surprise you.

- Valerie

Posted 10/16/08 05:21 PM

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