Backwoods Smokes
Encyclopedia
Backwoods Smokes were a brand of cigarette
s produced in the United States
beginning in 1973. This product was notable during the 1970s and 1980s for heavy advertising, which became one of the more obvious examples of how companies at the time reacted to changing law
s and cultural views on public health
and the smoking culture.
on 1 April 1970. They were a part of a wide attempt by cigarette
manufacturers at the time to circumvent the national ban on cigarette advertising
, which came about as both consumers and professionals became more aware of the harmful effects of cigarette smoking.
Fearing loss of profit from being unable to advertise cigarettes through the heavy influence of television
, several companies began to market "little cigar
s" instead. This allowed their new products to be advertised to the television-viewing public without violating the new ordinance enacted by President Nixon.
and similar groups. Emphasis is placed upon the fact that the cigars are made from all-natural tobacco
with no homogenized
components. They are frequently classified as mild and flavorful. Over the years, the company began to produce different flavors and types of these cigars, much like most other small cigar companies in the market today.
This illustrates a common concept during advertising for tobacco products at the time; growing public health concerns had largely changed the perceptions of the general public towards smoking. In reaction to this, many advertising campaign
s began to be directed at very specific groups of people, rather than at the public as a whole. This effect was long-reaching, and can be seen in the wide variety and number of tobacco products available in more modern times.
Cigarette
A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco leaves wrapped in a cylinder of thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth and in some cases a cigarette holder may be used as well...
s produced in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
beginning in 1973. This product was notable during the 1970s and 1980s for heavy advertising, which became one of the more obvious examples of how companies at the time reacted to changing law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
s and cultural views on public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
and the smoking culture.
History
Backwoods Smokes were released in the United States shortly after the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act was enacted by President Richard NixonRichard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
on 1 April 1970. They were a part of a wide attempt by cigarette
Cigarette
A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco leaves wrapped in a cylinder of thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth and in some cases a cigarette holder may be used as well...
manufacturers at the time to circumvent the national ban on cigarette advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
, which came about as both consumers and professionals became more aware of the harmful effects of cigarette smoking.
Fearing loss of profit from being unable to advertise cigarettes through the heavy influence of television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, several companies began to market "little cigar
Cigar
A cigar is a tightly-rolled bundle of dried and fermented tobacco that is ignited so that its smoke may be drawn into the mouth. Cigar tobacco is grown in significant quantities in Brazil, Cameroon, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Philippines, and the Eastern...
s" instead. This allowed their new products to be advertised to the television-viewing public without violating the new ordinance enacted by President Nixon.
Description
Backwoods Smokes were designed to have a rustic, "manly" appeal to them, and to appear as natural as possible. It can be seen from the advertising - and even the product name - that marketing was directed heavily at outdoorsmenOutdoor enthusiast
An outdoor enthusiast is a person who enjoys sports and activities in nature and wilderness areas. Interests associated with outdoor enthusiasts include hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing, climbing and camping. The term outdoorsman has also been used.U.S. president Teddy...
and similar groups. Emphasis is placed upon the fact that the cigars are made from all-natural tobacco
Tobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
with no homogenized
Homogenization (chemistry)
Homogenization or homogenisation is any of several processes used to make a chemical mixture the same throughout.-Definition:Homogenization is intensive blending of mutually related substances or groups of mutually related substances to form a constant of different insoluble phases to obtain a...
components. They are frequently classified as mild and flavorful. Over the years, the company began to produce different flavors and types of these cigars, much like most other small cigar companies in the market today.
In advertising
Backwoods Smokes were advertised heavily throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with virtually no changes being made to their target group during this time. An example advertisement from 1983 shows a man climbing the side of a snowy mountain, with the phrase "If you ever wanted to climb Mt. Rainier, you're a natural Backwoods man" in large print. In the foreground, a hand is holding up a pack of Backwoods Smokes that says "Wild 'N Mild Smokes, All Natural Tobacco". In a sidebar, the advertisement also reads:
"For an experience that's strictly wild, you can't top a climb like this. But for one that's wild and mild, pack along Backwoods Smokes. Backwoods are all natural tobacco, with genuine Broadleaf wrapper aged one full year to bring out its natural sweetness. Backwoods Smokes. For the man who likes his pleasures wild and mild. ALL NATURAL TOBACCO. HOW CAN ANYTHING THAT LOOKS SO WILD TASTE SO MILD?"
This illustrates a common concept during advertising for tobacco products at the time; growing public health concerns had largely changed the perceptions of the general public towards smoking. In reaction to this, many advertising campaign
Advertising campaign
An advertising campaign is a series of advertisement messages that share a single idea and theme which make up an integrated marketing communication...
s began to be directed at very specific groups of people, rather than at the public as a whole. This effect was long-reaching, and can be seen in the wide variety and number of tobacco products available in more modern times.