Today is a sad day. Today I realized that soon I will no longer be smoking the brand that I've proudly and defiantly smoked for 12 years. RJ Reynolds is discontinuing Camel Special Lights and are marketing their No. 9 line as a replacement. I've always viewed Special Lights as the cigarettes for hipsters who don't want to follow the Parliament Light crowd. My ex used to smoke Specials. My uncle smoked Specials. It's like a little smoker's club, like the Masons. Fiercely loyal and willing to go elsewhere to secure their fix.No longer will boys in the smokers gallery have an easy conversation opening by asking, "What's so special about those?"
No longer will I be able to direct new convenient store employees to "the gold pack over there."
It's like when Estee Lauder or Revlon discontinues your favorite shade of lipstick and you're torn between just letting them go and silently mourning or buying a shit load of packs, merely delaying the inevitable.
I have no idea if this new brand is any good, and if they're not, I'm in kind of a pickle. Marlboro Lights taste like Windex, regular Camel Lights give me a hell of a cough, Parliament Lights are lovely, but over 50 cents more a pack than Camels, and I don't have the patience to smoke American Spirits.
So, I bid you fairwell, Camel Special Lights, you of the "world's smoothest and most aromatic Turkish tobacco, blended with a more robust domestic" leaf. May RJ Reynolds learn the error of their ways and bring you back soon...at least before I quit someday.
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20 people who bitched:
I understand your pain. This is how I felt when Olay discontinued the soap I used for seven years.
Marlboro Lights taste like Windex
hahaha. Never heard anyone put it that way before, but they SO DO! The only time Marlboros are tolerable is when someone bums you one at a bar and you're too drunk to notice how vile it tastes.
how about Benson & Hedges?
or just stopping completely.
I think it's time to move up to cigars. They're sexier, anyway. Or a pipe. How come you never see a gal smoking a (tobacco) pipe? You would be unique if you did that.
Smoke loose tobacco out of a bong on the street corner. You'll meet handsome police officers.
A long time ago, in a land far away, I also used to enjoy Camel Special Lights. Ahhh, the good ol' days.
I have the same problem. I've been smoking special lights for years and now I figure since they're going away it's about time to quit. I wouldn't smoke anything else.
...or I could just buy up a bunch of cartons and stockpile them...
P.S. I've tried the no. 9's and they're putrid.
I swear to god we're the same person. That has been my treasured brand since I was in my early 20's. I almost feel better about quitting last month knowing they won't be around much longer.
Camel Special Lights. They're the reason I started smoking @ 16. They had 2$ C-Notes in them, instead of the normal 1$. After a few packs I decided I should start smoking them too. And there ya go.
Just smoke Camel Lights. They are better.
To my delight, I found a pack of Special Lights (not opened) in my cupboard. YES!
I have been trying to find a replacement to no avail. Marlboro Lights have a chemical taste, Camel Lights are too heavy, #9's taste like they have candy in them. Haven't tried Parliament Lights, but may have to.
Bring back the Special Lights, please!
I am stuck smoking cigarettes that are too strong and so I am poking holes in them, near the filter. I tried Camel Turkish Royals (much too strong and taste disgusting), Turkish Gold (too strong and V bitter), and Turkish Silver (touted as "mellow" but like totally harshed out my throat, dude). Camel Lights are indeed wretched and bitter, and the Ultras are like sucking air through a very clean sock.
I desperately miss my Special Lights, and not just 'cause I can no longer tell people, "It's Kurt Cobain's brand!"
Were I filthy rich I'd smoke Sherman Fantasias (women can do that without negative comment - men who are willing always bum the red ones) or Sobranie Cocktails in a pinch; or Silk Cuts (John Constantine's brand, weird comics fans).
I stumbled upon your blog while searching online to get to the bottom of what happened to my favorite brand of cigarettes. I was recently hooked on menthols, but lately I've been craving the Special Lights again, and go figure they're gone. I fell in love with CSLs in college and got a few friends into them as well. The No. 9 isn't that bad, but it doesn't hold a candle to CSLs. There needs to be a petition to bring them back.
Found your site through looking online for a reason behind the discontinuation. Yeah, it stinks like all hell. I've cleaned out basically ever gas station in my area getting the last of them. So you know - the No. 9 cigarettes have a sour taste. Very disappointing.
Perhaps we can all call camel (800-334-8157) and beg them not to without sounding too pathetic. I got a wonderful response and she directed my comments to marketing.
Thank you for such a lovely requiem. Our dear friend the "Special" light will be dearly missed.
I'm not a smoker.... but I smoke. (Ok, I'm a smoker in denial of my habit) And the ONLY THING I will smoke when I'm smoking as a non-smoker is CAMEL SPECIAL LIGHTS! I can't get them at the local gas stations or grocery stores any more.... My neighbor snatched the last pack from our Walgreens just for me (God bless her!)
I tried Camel Lights... EW GROSS. Guess I'll pout and try Parliament Lights.... Or just stop smoking. What am I talking about? I don't smoke!
I just found out today. I will be quitting.
Nothing smokes like a Special Light.
Oh how I miss Special Lights.....First time I smoked one I was hooked. I still have the last unopened pack out of the last carton that I could find...Tempted to open, but resolved just to smell the box...LOL
I am smoking a special light right now and it is oh so good. I did not know that they stopped making them...they have been harder to find and this is sad news if it is true. I shall enjoy this pack.....7 left
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