As A Third Generation Camel Cigarette Smoker...

This article is part of the Tobacco portal on Sourcewatch funded from 2006 - 2009 by the American Legacy Foundation.

As A Third Generation Camel Cigarette Smoker, It Was to My Great Disappointment and Chagrin to Purchase A Carton of Camel Filters Which Would Seem to Have Been Tainted with A Strange Mold/Fungus.

This letter was written to the R.J. Reynolds tobacco company by a smoker who suddenly starting experiencing extreme ("migraine") headaches while smoking Camel cigarettes. He wrote to RJR,

"...I was prompted to dissect several of the Camel cigarettes, upon which time I discovered a white fungus, no unlike a cocoon in appearance. Needless to say, I was shocked and threw the cartoon (sic) in the trash."

The consumer also told RJR that this situation had made him concerned about "the relative safety of your product."

Text of letter:

It was only after several days of migraine headaches--something very unusual for me--that I realized there was a correlation between smoking and the headaches; immediately after smoking, I would develop a headache, the severity of which finally prompted me to try, as a test, a different brand. When, while smoking a different brand, I didn't get a headache, I was prompted to dissect several of the Camel cigarettes, upon which time I discovered a white fungus, no unlike a cocoon in appearance. Needless to say, I was shocked and threw the cartoon (sic) in the trash.

My family has for a long time patronized Camel cigarettes with pride and with satisfaction in a company that emphasizes consistent quality. This even occurred last week; I have since gone back to Camels without any ill effects, but I still have misgivings about this incident and the relative safety of your product...

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Paul R. Drake

Document Date: 18 Sep 1996 Length: pages Bates No. 518208882/8883 URL: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/iaz41d00