RJ Reynolds this week will begin US national distribution of a second version of its popular Camel Crush menthol cigarette.

Camel Crush Bold will provide a “more full bodied, richer tobacco taste” alternative to the Camel Crush cigarettes introduced nationally in 2008, said parent company Reynolds American. The name derives from a filter containing a blue capsule that can be squeezed to create menthol on demand.
RJ Reynolds’ share of the US menthol market increased 0.3 percentage points to 2.1 per cent in the second business quarter, Reynolds American announced Friday.
Total market share, excluding delisted private label brands, was stable at 27.3 per cent. Growth brands Camel and Pall Mall increased their share 1.5 percentage points to 16.3 per cent.
Camel snus “continued to show steady growth in the second quarter as interest builds in this convenient option,” the company said. American Snuff’s moist-snuff shipment volume increased 3.6 per cent from the prior-year quarter, contributing to a first-half shipment gain of 8.1 per cent, said Reynolds American. (ci)