I'll Take Lung Cancer If It's in a Cute Package

Camel's latest marketing campaign is all about the ladies.

I was flipping through a magazine yesterday when I came across an advertisement I hadn't seen before: featuring a flowery background and a pink border, the attractiveness of the page caught my eye for a second, causing me to pause. Then, I saw the two packs of cigarettes smack in the center of the ad. Cue page flip.

I know, I know. You’ve just been dying waiting for an excuse to pick up smoking. Well, here’s your chance: Apparently Camel has come out with a new version of their cigarettes, with the sophisticated name "Camel No. 9." Featuring sleek black and pink packaging, girly advertisements and the slogan “light and luscious,” Camel’s new campaign hopes to attract more female smokers to the brand.

Sorry Camel, but it’s not 1952 anymore. I personally feel offended by advertising that is so insulting to women’s intelligence. A pretty package doesn’t change the fact that there are cigarettes on the inside; and I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s fairly well known now that cigarettes cause cancer, emphysema, stroke… the list goes on. If you plan on persuading me to take up smoking sometime soon, you’re going to have to throw me something a little more convincing than a pink cardboard box.

Anonymous (not verified) @ Sat, 02/17/2007 - 10:28pm

Whitney, don't think you have to go out on that limb. Cigarettes aborted my dad's young life when I was only 11. He had emphysema.

Smart for you to see a con.

With compassion, Mike

Bianca Posterli @ Wed, 02/21/2007 - 11:46am

What's even worse is that I just read about a promotional party for these cigarettes where the bartenders are ALLOWING smokers to smoke inside. What happened to that smoking ban???? This is one bar I will never be going to now.

~Bianca

Kristen OGorman @ Fri, 02/23/2007 - 9:29pm

I just saw the new Camel ad in Glamour today and it really disgusted me. I think we're a little smarter than to pick up a pack of cigarettes just because it's in a pretty box.

Anonymous (not verified) @ Fri, 03/02/2007 - 6:44pm

What a con this is. Philip Morris loves their new trashy campaign. Don't let them suck you in. They deny the dirty is they engage in the dirty. Devils in black and pink are still devils.

Andrea Feczko @ Sat, 03/03/2007 - 9:26pm

I HATE SMOKING.

With that said, many people start smoking because of superficial reasons associated to the act. Some people think it makes them look like a glamorous, old Hollywood starlet (think Beyonce's promo photos for her tour).

I haven't seen the ad but the name evokes this image perfectly. It makes me think of Chanel No. 5, but it's cigarettes. I think the ad campaign is genius and I'd be surprised if it didn't increase sales.

Hopefully, though, I won't be breathing the effects of the sales increase.

P.S. Bianca, I totally agree with you about smokers in NYC clubs. It's getting a little out of control and my dry cleaning allowance is suffering because of it.

Anonymous (not verified) @ Tue, 03/13/2007 - 8:16pm

Why on Earth do you care? doesn't each individual have the right to choose to or choose not to smoke? If you don't like it, don't smoke. Just don't try to tell everyone else what to do and how to live. It's none of your business!

Anonymous (not verified) @ Sat, 03/17/2007 - 10:37am

Im glad your soo smart and can see that a company is trying to make money of a completely legal product. Just so you know, your not smart cause you know what everybody else on earth does. Smoking is bad for you, we all know. I choose to smoke because I find quality tobacco (not camels) to be delicious. The people who smoke make a concious decision between a longer life and the life they want to live. There is no right or wrong choice in smoking, its everyone own personal decision. Smoking bans are bullshit because if the owner of a club wants to let people smoke then if you dont smoke you should leave.

Jonas Pelli @ Sat, 03/17/2007 - 1:29pm

You're not your...

Whitney M Dipollina @ Sun, 03/18/2007 - 8:10pm

1. Smoking isn't just "everyone's own personal decision" when second-hand smoke effects everyone.

2. And not every smoker wants to be one, either. Tobacco companies capitalize on people's ignorance. Not everyone is so proud to have fallen victim to such a harmful product.

3. And finally, you should look into spell-checking; it is a helpful tool.

Connie Kargbo @ Wed, 03/21/2007 - 11:06pm

Ouch! I bet that hurt anonymous.

John Lichman @ Thu, 03/22/2007 - 12:26am

i don't think that you can hurt anonymous.

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A group blog exploring our media world. Produced by the Digital Journalism: Blogging course at New York University, Spring 2007.

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