Packaging Characteristics of Top-Selling Cigars in the United States, 2018

Abstract

Introduction Tobacco product packaging is an influential industry marketing tool, but research on cigar packaging characteristics is limited. This study leveraged a pack archive of the top-selling, mass-market cigar products in the US and their corresponding sales data to assess the prevalence of common pack features in the marketplace. Methods The 50 cigar products with the highest national unit sales in 2018 were identified using Nielsen’s Scantrack data. A content analysis captured common packaging features within four domains: physical, textual, graphical, and promotional elements. Descriptive statistics, weighted by each pack’s 2018 unit sales, documented the market share of pack characteristics overall and by brand. Results Products in the sample constituted 62% of all convenience store cigar sales in 2018. Black & Mild, the most popular brand, did not display warning labels on its single stick, cellophane-wrapped products, which constituted nearly all of its sales (96.3%). Resealable foil pouches were the most common packaging style across other brands, and were most often sold in predominantly red, green, or silver packaging. Common flavor categories included concept (e.g., “Jazz”, 32.4%), fruit (15.7%), and sweet (14.5%). Pre-pricing (e.g., “2 for 99 cents”) was a popular promotional strategy, appearing on 74% of all packs sold. Conclusions Cigar packaging features such as small pack sizes, innovative materials, flavor names, bright colors, and cost-saving promotions are prevalent among the top-selling products. Stronger packaging-focused policies at the federal and local levels may help reduce appeal and potentially curb cigar use. Implications Sales of mass-market cigars in the US have remained strong over the past decade, propelled by lax product regulations. This study demonstrated that cigar packaging features that may enhance consumer appeal, such as small pack sizes, flavor names, sensory descriptors, bright colors, and cost-saving promotions, are prevalent among the top-selling products. Stronger packaging-focused policies at the federal and local levels may help curb cigar use, reduce youth appeal, and potentially minimize existing disparities in cigar use.

The Landscape of Cigar Marketing in Print Magazines from 2018–2021: Content, Expenditures, Volume, Placement and Reach

“…In 2000, the seven largest cigar companies in the U.S. entered into an agreement with the Federal Trade Commission conceding to display one warning from a set of approved warning statements on cigar packaging and advertising (e.g., “SURGEON GENERAL WARNING: Cigar smoking can cause lung cancer and heart disease”) [ 20 ]. Numerous studies have examined the presence of warning labels on cigar packaging [ 21 ] and advertising across various channels, including social media [ 15 , 17 , 22 ] and the point-of-sale [ 23 ]. For example, an analysis of cigar brand Swisher Sweet’s Instagram posts found that about 50% of posts displayed a warning label [ 17 ].…”

The Impact of Influencers on Cigar Promotions: A Content Analysis of Large Cigar and Swisher Sweets Videos on TikTok

“…Swisher Sweets, a leading flavored cigar brand, accounted for over 22% of market shares in US Convenience Stores in 2020 [ 3 ]. Factors that contribute to the increased cigar use among youth and young adults include the availability of flavors [ 4 ], small pack sizes [ 5 ], the industry’s targeted marketing [ 6 ], features that facilitate cannabis use [ 7 ], psychosocial factors [ 8 ], and reduced health risk perceptions of cigar smoking compared to cigarette smoking [ 9 ].…”

Camel Crush pack inserts cross-promote Vuse menthol e-cigarettes ahead of impending menthol cigarette ban

“…The cigarette pack remains a key industry marketing tool in most countries— notwithstanding emergent initiatives to implement plain/standardised packaging laws8— and offers cigarette companies an opportunity to directly communicate with consumers. During a wave of cigarette purchases for our team’s ongoing tobacco packaging archive,9 10 we uncovered a new cross-promotion advertisement targeting cigarette consumers: inserts marketing Vuse Alto menthol e-cigarettes were placed inside packs of Camel Crush menthol cigarettes (figure 1). Both products are owned and manufactured by BAT via RJ Reynolds (RJR).…”