Backwoods cigars release ‘California Range of products with concept flavour names

Backwoods cigars, sold by Imperial Tobacco Group (ITG), have the fastest growing market share of cigar sales in USA.1 Since 2018, Backwoods’ advertising has previously characterised both their cigar products as ‘natural’ while focusing on their brand-specific flavours.2–4 Most Backwoods products sold are flavoured.5 Nearly all Backwoods products found in localities with flavour restrictions continue to have explicit characterising flavour names.6 7

In December 2022, the state of California implemented restrictions that prohibit the sale of flavoured tobacco products. In Spring 2023, Backwoods cigars’ website began featuring a new selection of seven products referred to as their California Range (figure 1). Whereas the Original and Craft Backwoods cigars—now collectively known as the National Range—primarily have explicit or characterising flavour names, California Range products have primarily concept flavour names.

Figure 1

Screen capture of Backwoods Original,…

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