Question for smokers (Cigarette branding)

[speedy_thrills]

I've always wondered how ciggaret branding works, largely cigarettes sell for similar prices it appears so what type of people typically buy which brands? People seem quite loyal to individual brands but I've never found out how the spectum of sophistication works, which brands go head-to-head and which occupy niche markets?

Just one more thing, can we keep this thread just on marketing please and not allow it to get dragged in other directions? Thanks.

[Famous Graham]

Do you drink the same beer most of the time? Or the same cola?

You get used to a certain taste. As a (renewed, damn it) smoker, I'm familiar with Malboro Lights - Benny Hedgehogs seem harsher to me, Silk Cut, not strong enough.

It's just down to taste, no more, no less.

[Legmaster]

I smoke full fat cowboy killers (Marlboro Reds), I just prefer the taste.

As mentioned already Bensons rip the back of my throat to bits and Silk Cut are for girls.

With regards to niche brands, I've not seen anyone smoke menthol fags (Consulate, etc.) for a while, but I guess that's because they are designed to get kids hooked in the first place - well it worked for me...

[Famous Graham]

Legmaster said:

I smoke full fat cowboy killers (Marlboro Reds), I just prefer the taste.

Aah, ye olde lungbleeders Smoked them for the first 12 years or so, then woke up 3 nights on the trot with chest pains. Didn't give up, nope - switched to Marly Lights.

<-------- Moron

[andyquantum]

Marlboro Lights since they came out. And they're not even called Marlboro Lights anymore

They used to taste sweet when you got toward the filter, I dont know whether me putting Philip Morris's kids through school has knackered the old taste buds or they changed the recipe.

If it wasnt for them I dont think I'd smoke anything else

[minimax]

I generally prefer marlboro red, I smoke infrequently these days due to rowing more and usually only with beer and this is getting less frequent too... I think that cigarette manufacturers have a special ingredient additive which makes fags taste good with beer.

there is a distinct taste difference between brands, sometimes I switch to B&H gold or lucky strike but I avoid (and have tried) all other brands as I just don't like them.

I can taste a cheap cigarette, they seem to be made of inferior tobacco

Edited by minimax on Saturday 13th September 14:45

[Famous Graham]

andyquantum said:

Marlboro Lights since they came out. And they're not even called Marlboro Lights anymore

No? Still called that down here in the southern hemisphere - I'll be back home next week (although I'm planning to quit - again) so what are they called in the UK?

Oh, and by the way, if anyone drinks and is thinking of giving up, I can categorically state that hangovers are a piece of piss to conquer when you don't smoke. Life is so much nicer the morning after if you've not had a puff (so to speak).

But then you tend to drink more as a result - I've lost a stone since taking up the tabs again :/

Edited by Famous Graham on Saturday 13th September 14:46

[andyquantum]

Famous Graham said:

andyquantum said:

Marlboro Lights since they came out. And they're not even called Marlboro Lights anymore

No? Still called that down here in the southern hemisphere - I'll be back home next week (although I'm planning to quit - again) so what are they called in the UK?

Marlboro

I think the non smoking cashiers prefer to call them Marlboro Gold, but the old girls still know them as Lights

[speedy_thrills]

Legmaster said:

I've not seen anyone smoke menthol fags (Consulate, etc.) for a while, but I guess that's because they are designed to get kids hooked in the first place - well it worked for me...

See I'd have thought that given the packaging design Superkings menthols would have been for pensioners?

Edited by speedy_thrills on Saturday 13th September 14:48

[Famous Graham]

speedy_thrills said:

Legmaster said:

I've not seen anyone smoke menthol fags (Consulate, etc.) for a while, but I guess that's because they are designed to get kids hooked in the first place - well it worked for me...

See I'd have thought that given the packaging design Superkings menthols would have been for pensioners?

Edited by speedy_thrills on Saturday 13th September 14:48

Packaging and advertising means absolutely sod all once you're a smoker. The only hook that stuff has, is for new starters. And even the effect there is minimal.

[Hedders]

B + H, no doubt because that is the brand my parents used to smoke...

[SJobson]

Been a while (nearly 2 years) since I had a ciggie but I was always partial to Marlboro Lights; also, since every f--ker smokes them, you can pretty much guarantee you can cadge one of your usual brand if you run out.

However, they seemed to differ quite a bit from country to country, even buying in Ireland they weren't the same as at home. And the US ones with the white filter end were confusing.

Lucky Strike Lights were a particular favourite alternative when I was away.

[Famous Graham]

Actually, even price isn't that important, assuming it's within a "sensible" range of the competition.

[speedy_thrills]

minimax said:

I can taste a cheap cigarette, they seem to be made of inferior tobacco

Which brands are those?

[Famous Graham]

SJobson said:

However, they seemed to differ quite a bit from country to country, even buying in Ireland they weren't the same as at home. And the US ones with the white filter end were confusing.

Lucky Strike Lights were a particular favourite alternative when I was away.

Definitely - had MLs in North and South America and now the Antipodes, and they do vary. Luckys are a bearable substitute, but they're still more different than the variations within a brand.

Although streetside packets of MLights in Lima were distinctly suspect

[ChristianZS]

Rollup - GV

Used to smoke Marlboro Red + Lights,B&h Gold

I tend to smoke lights in America with them being so cheap... Occasionally when im on the scrounge il smoke L&B but that is at a push.

[SJobson]

Famous Graham said:

SJobson said:

However, they seemed to differ quite a bit from country to country, even buying in Ireland they weren't the same as at home. And the US ones with the white filter end were confusing.

Lucky Strike Lights were a particular favourite alternative when I was away.

Definitely - had MLs in North and South America and now the Antipodes, and they do vary. Luckys are a bearable substitute, but they're still more different than the variations within a brand.

Although streetside packets of MLights in Lima were distinctly suspect

I always thought Camel Lights should be a good alternative but they never quite worked for me.

[Legmaster]

speedy_thrills said:

Legmaster said:

I've not seen anyone smoke menthol fags (Consulate, etc.) for a while, but I guess that's because they are designed to get kids hooked in the first place - well it worked for me...

See I'd have thought that given the packaging design Superkings menthols would have been for pensioners?

Edited by speedy_thrills on Saturday 13th September 14:48

You're probably right but when I (stupidly) started smoking, all newbies smoked menthols as they didn't taste like ste or make you cough your guts up.

This meant you could get addicted to ciggies before you were put off smoking. Hence my rather cynical view they are designed to kids hooked.

Wish I listened to my parents all those years ago...

[minimax]

speedy_thrills said:

minimax said:

I can taste a cheap cigarette, they seem to be made of inferior tobacco

Which brands are those?

JPS, (bought a pack because they remind me of Lotus Cars, )mayfair, (offered one from a colleague ) and Richmond.. recently.

I have worked my way through all of the usual ones

[ATTAK Z]

When in Nigeria I smoked B+H - imported, definitely NOT local. The difference in taste (and price) was tremendous

Edited by ATTAK Z on Saturday 13th September 15:02