With all the controversy over cigarette smoking today; the addiction qualities and the dangers of cancer and other health issues the market is still flooded with many brands of cigarettes. These brands range from name brands that have been around for years to numerous off brand cheaper cigarettes. One brand that has withstood the test of time is also one of the original brands sold to the public, Camel cigarettes.
Camel cigarettes were first developed and marketed by R.J. Reynolds in 1913. Camel was one of the first already rolled cigarette brands available. People had hand rolled their own cigarettes until this time. Camel was a combination of Turkish and American blend tobaccos. Many have competed with Camel for the famous Turkish tobacco angle, but Camel has the special Turkish and American blend that keeps it above the others.
Cheap Camel cigarettes were made in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This was the tobacco capital at the time. Camel cigarettes quickly became famous, not only for their quality, but also because of the tremendous, over the top advertising campaign that was launched. The original packaging has evolved some over the years but for the most part it remains steadfast. There was a camel on the cigarettes packs and he has been deemed the Camel mascot, Joe Camel. Joe Camel remains the cigarette logo and mascot to this day. In the beginning R.J. Reynolds sold Camel cigarettes for less than other brands. There were ad campaigns that featured camels distributing free cigarettes. The most successful advertisement was the endorsement North Carolinians gave Camel cigarettes. They were quoted praising and recommending the cigarettes which is what really caught smoker's attention.
