A Different Camel Is Back in the Glossies

[MN_Snuser]

Article below is from the New York times regarding Camel Snus. Nothing really Earth shattering here. Just thought I would pass it along.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/22/bu...pagewanted=all

[chadizzy1]

Andrew Romeo is the man. I don't care what snus site he currently posts on

"“It is worse for public health to put snus across as a complementary product instead of a reduced-harm product, but for R. J. Reynolds it makes total sense,” said Mr. Romeo, who lives in Manhattan. “If Americans have gone from, say, two packs a day down to a pack and a quarter a day — the remainder being what you had smoked in your office or at restaurants — then they’re just trying to sell you this other product to fill your day with tobacco goodness.”

It's bad marketing. They keep using that "friendly" slogan. "Camel SNUS is (insert name of place you can't smoke) friendly." If they would market it as a "harm reduced alternative to cigarettes", I believe it would do better, cut down on the rates of those who smoke, and make snus a more popular product in America.

It seems like RJ Reynolds wants this to be a supplemental product to those who smoke. No big conspiracy, nothing crazy, just they're trying to make money and if they have another form of tobacco they can push (like those Orbs) they'll do it. I just hope whatever it is Swedish Match has planned for the US that they're so tight lipped about will learn from these mistakes and market it correctly.

[lxskllr]

Andrew Romeo is the man. I don't care what snus site he currently posts on

"“It is worse for public health to put snus across as a complementary product instead of a reduced-harm product, but for R. J. Reynolds it makes total sense,” said Mr. Romeo, who lives in Manhattan. “If Americans have gone from, say, two packs a day down to a pack and a quarter a day — the remainder being what you had smoked in your office or at restaurants — then they’re just trying to sell you this other product to fill your day with tobacco goodness.”

It's bad marketing. They keep using that "friendly" slogan. "Camel SNUS is (insert name of place you can't smoke) friendly." If they would market it as a "harm reduced alternative to cigarettes", I believe it would do better, cut down on the rates of those who smoke, and make snus a more popular product in America.

It seems like RJ Reynolds wants this to be a supplemental product to those who smoke. No big conspiracy, nothing crazy, just they're trying to make money and if they have another form of tobacco they can push (like those Orbs) they'll do it. I just hope whatever it is Swedish Match has planned for the US that they're so tight lipped about will learn from these mistakes and market it correctly.

Andrew always has insightful posts, but I'm not sure I completely agree with him in this case. IDEALLY RJR would promote the reduced harm angle, but I'm not sure they can by law. Tobacco companies can face a serious government smackdown for promoting tobacco products as healthy, or healthier, and unless they have a plethora of bullet proof peer reviewed scientific studies I don't think they're willing to take the risk Depending on how the law's written, scientific research may not even be good enough.

[simon]

I don't think they can legally do it either.
And if they could, will people even believe it after such a destructive past big tobacco has had with America?
Tobacco kills.. Period.. Or so that's what we have all been brain washed to believe, since birth, over and over again, from parents, teachers, television, radio, and print, from doctors, police officers, poloticians, and even the tobacco companies them selves..
It'll be a long road for anybody, scientist or not to undo that.

[paulwall9]

Intresting how I never noticed b4 how many camels snus ads I actually do see during the week!

[TropicalBob]

Correct on making unprovable claims .. that would not be smart.

But also understand that marketing is carefully planned, down to the smallest detail. The RJR approach on Camel is the one chosen to be the most effective in appealing to Americans frustrated by tightening restrictions on smoking cigarettes, and pressed for time, as well.

I think it's dead-on target.

Harm-reduction, which I highly value and try to live by, is a concept that couldn't even be sold to Congress during the recent Family Smoking bill debate. IMO, smokers aren't scared to death; they're just regally ticked off! The hooked smoker just wants his damn nic hit. RJR promises to provide it, with snus or dissolvables, when a cigarette isn't allowed.

Yes, this strategy keeps 'em smoking, too, in between Orbs and Camel snus.

[Snusdog]

Correct on making unprovable claims .. that would not be smart.

This strategy keeps 'em smoking, too, in between Orbs and Camel snus.

There are your two big points. The end.

There is no mistake in marketing. RJR is doing exactly what they intended.

Remember, Andrew Romeo is probably coming at this from a completely different angle/agenda than RJR. Andrew is promoting snus. For Andrew snus is a safe ALTERNATIVE to cigarettes.

RJR, on the other hand, is not trying to replace cigarettes, they are actually trying to supplement them. For RJR, SNUS PROMOTES CIGERETTS (by tiding you over till the next smoke can be had).

[simon]

RJR is doing the right thing for the company, and are providing a product that many people do enjoy. Maybe some day it may replace smoking, but that will take decades. It'll be a slow slow transition.
Speaking of SNUS, I just got another free damn can today. I'm up to 15 in the freezer now. I kind of like the stuff though.

[simon]

P.S.
I just found this, in more than one place on line..

Reynolds said that Camel Snus is being made under contract in Sweden by British American Tobacco PLC. BAT owns 42 percent of Reynolds.

I have found them stating this all over the net.. I never saw that statement before, you think maybe they are changing things up?

[lxskllr]

P.S.
I just found this, in more than one place on line..

Reynolds said that Camel Snus is being made under contract in Sweden by British American Tobacco PLC. BAT owns 42 percent of Reynolds.

I have found them stating this all over the net.. I never saw that statement before, you think maybe they are changing things up?

That was from the original test run of round tin Camels. AFAIK Camel SNUS is made in the USA now.

[simon]

Ok,
Somebody needs to update the wiki I guess :?
I was about to get excited about it made in Swed..