Tobacco News

Some Brooklyn residents and politicians have had—forgive us—smoke coming out of their ears the past two months over a promotion involving Camel Blue cigarettes.
The reason? The pack included an illustration of the brand’s iconic camel on what looks to be Kent Avenue, in front of a Williamsburg Bridge backdrop, with Williamsburg itself as a selling point. “Some call it the most famous hipster neighborhood,” the package copy begins. Ream more »

Proving that the fourth time is not the charm, a California federal judge has once again dismissed a putative class-action lawsuit alleging R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. illegally canceled its “Camel Cash” promotion without allowing participants to redeem their certificates for merchandise.

In tossing the plaintiffs’ third-amended complaint, U.S. District Judge Christina A. Snyder of the Central District of California said the tobacco company did not act in breach of contract when it ended the program.
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Camel cigarettes branded for the Brooklyn neighborhood of Williamsburg, called recently (and for years prior) the “new front line” of gentrification, are selling pretty well in their namesake area, at least according to anecdotes from bodega owners. Brooklyn Paper reports that the special packs, also rotting minds and lungs in Seattle and Austin, are “selling out…quick.” Sure, they’re a buck cheaper, but they’re also the evil idea of R.J. Reynolds, a huge corporation. Ream more »

TORONTO—While the government is touting the $550 million it will get from tobacco companies for tobacco they smuggled into Canada to avoid taxes, the health association that pushed for the suit is calling it a “sell out.” Read more