Camel Cigarettes
Camel Cigarettes were launched in 1913 by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company as the first nationally marketed pre-packaged cigarettes in the U.S. The brand introduced a unique blend of Turkish, Virginia, and Burley tobaccos, setting a standard for later competitors. Camel Cigarettes initially sold at 10 cents per 20-count pack, combining affordability with a balanced nicotine content that reduced harshness compared to other early 20th-century brands. The packaging featured a dromedary camel modeled after "Old Joe," a circus animal used in promotional tours to distribute free samples. Camel Cigarettes dominated sales rankings until the 1950s, earning their production hub in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the nickname "Camel City."
The brand's advertising innovations included teaser campaigns like "The Camels are coming!" and slogans such as "I'd walk a mile for a Camel!" In 1987, Camel Cigarettes introduced the Joe Camel mascot, a cartoon character criticized for allegedly targeting youth. This led to its retirement in 1997 after studies showed high recognition among children. Modern Camel Cigarettes offer three tobacco families: Classic (rich flavor), Turkish (smooth profile), and Exotic Blends (premium limited editions). Distributed in over 90 countries, Camel remains a top global brand, with filter and light variants sold in Canada through J.T.I. Macdonald.
Other notes: The camel imagery drew inspiration from Egyptian-style cigarettes, though Turkish archives claim it symbolizes gratitude for camels donated to the U.S. Army in 1854. Camel sponsored motorsports events like the Camel GT series and Formula One teams from 1987 to 1993. Original non-filtered Camel Cigarettes are no longer available in Canada.
