The company that produces Camel Cigarettes, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, will soon launch another despicable marketing campaign with the goal of duping Americans into buying its products.
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company has been called out because of controversial advertising tactics in the past. In 1997, under pressure from Congress and a lawsuit, the company halted the use of the popular Joe Camel advertising character because it was claimed to be attractive to children — or future smokers.
Now, the company plans to launch a marketing campaign in early 2009 to make its newly nationalized product, Camel Snus, seem harmless and worth your money. (See page 3 for details.)
Snus is a package of smokeless tobacco that is supposed to be tucked between the gum and cheek. It is flavored, and the company advises users to swallow the juice it produces.
Snus, which is popular in Sweden, has been available in U.S. test markets since 2006.
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco plans to play up the fact that Snus can be discretely used indoors, which will appeal to people who are tired of the more and more prevalent restrictions that force smokers to go outdoors.
The company also will promote the facts that Snus tastes good and that it does not produce second-hand smoke.
But don’t be fooled. This is not a good product.
Smokeless tobacco, though not as lethal as smoked tobacco, has health risks and is not a safe substitute for smoking.
According to the American Cancer Society, smokeless tobacco users are at risk for oral cancer, pancreatic cancer, bone loss around the teeth and mouth lesions.
Snus also is highly addictive, just like cigarettes.
We know most Americans have it ingrained in their minds that smoking is harmful, but they must not fall for the lucrative advertising of a new — and harmful — product they know less about.
The point of advertisements is to make products look good. When it comes to Snus, do not fall for it.
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mfhayes 3 years, 6 months ago
In the U.S. 119 people died in traffic accidents every day.
OMGZZZZ CARS ARE EVIL!!!!
I for one don't want time spent in Congress on regulating cigarette advertisements. If people are going to be mindless sheep, let them be.
JWade 3 years, 6 months ago
I want a column on Diggs being a dick.
JWade 3 years, 6 months ago
You guys are 100% right. I'll stick to cigarettes.
TheMilkman89 3 years, 6 months ago
Everyone knows tobacco is bad. There is also a label.
"America's Surgeon says this product is potentially deadly, carcinogenic, and just a plain bad decision, unless you really REALLY want an addiction and alienation from your friends and family."
Unless the company is denying this product will kill you, they are hardly fooling anyone.
But thanks! Everyone knows the American public is leagues dumber than the OU Editorial Board! Why, whatever would WE DO without their great shining beacon to guide our lives?
I'm in no way defending tobacco companies who do blatantly lie about the effects of their product. I myself have never done chewing tobacco, precisely because I don't want screwed up gums the rest of my life. Simply put though, America has rules, and this company is playing by those rules so long as it doesn't lie about its products, and it doesn't attempt to sell to minors.
Now can America please cease the beating of the dead horse of "TOBACCO WILL END US ALL" ?
diggs 3 years, 6 months ago
Oh No!! I am so dumb that I will buy anything that has clever advertising! Please OU Daily, SAVE ME FROM MYSELF!!!!!
Oh wait, I'm not dumb. This story is.
guitargeek 1 year, 6 months ago
I know I'm late to this party, but DO YOU HOMEWORK!! There is a world of difference between the stuff American tobacco companies are calling "snus" and actual snus from Sweden.