Nowadays, cigarettes are very common items on the market, and we can see them almost everywhere.
However, a long time ago, cigarettes were also a "luxury" that even ordinary people could not reach.
In the blink of an eye, many of the old cigarettes have gone out of print.
Next, let's take a look, do you have any impression of these out-of-print cigarettes?
The source in this article comes from the official media [Chongxin Rong Media, Jinta County Rong Media Center] (the link is attached at the end of the article), but in order to improve the readability of the article, the details may be polished, please read sensibly, for reference only!
Cigarettes carry memories
The years are long, and the past follows the wind. When it comes to the unique cigarette brands that my parents loved, it seems to have returned to that era full of fireworks.
At that time, buying a good pack of cigarettes was quite a ritualistic thing. Although the brands were not as rich as they are today, each one has its own unique charm.
When it comes to taste, from rich and strong to fresh and elegant, there is a variety of flavors, and there is always one that suits your taste. These cigarettes are not just cigarettes, but also carry the memories of a generation.
The mottled cigarette case and the familiar smell are all marks of the times, telling the green years of the fathers. But there are a lot of cigarettes that have disappeared in the torrent of the times.
We can't find those cigarettes on the market, so let's take a look at a few cigarettes that have disappeared quietly and see if you have an impression of it.
Mass production of cigarettes
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, under the guidance of the national "First Five-Year Plan", the Shenyang Tobacco Factory launched a large-scale production of cigarettes. This cigarette is packaged in festive red, and the logo symbolizes that the people are the masters of the country, showing the new atmosphere of New China.
As a high-end cigarette, mass production has been welcomed by the majority of consumers. In that era of relative scarcity, the supply of mass-produced cigarettes was issued on the basis of tickets.
Each box with tin foil is priced at 3 jiao 2 cents, while each box without tin foil is priced at 2 jiao 8 cents. This price was already high at the time, and it demonstrated the noble status of mass production.
It is reported that Chairman Mao also liked to use large-scale cigarettes to entertain guests in foreign affairs activities, and spoke highly of them. This cigarette has been presented to foreign guests as a national gift many times, and has become a beautiful business card showing the image of New China.
In the 70s, with the improvement of production technology, the output of large-scale cigarettes has been improved, and the quality has also been improved. However, in the 80s, with the increasing prosperity and competition in the tobacco market, the market share of large-scale production was gradually eroded.
Although the manufacturer has made many attempts to improve, it is difficult to reverse the decline. Finally, in 2007, this cigarette, which has accompanied the growth of several generations, was discontinued and became a symbol of the times.
Cigarettes from the front door
Daqianmen cigarettes were born in 1916 and were launched in China by British American Tobacco. Its brand name is taken from Beijing's famous city gate - Daqianmen, which means good luck and elegant taste.
The cigarette case is in a red and yellow tone, and the pattern is an antique archway, which is very eye-catching. During the Republican period, foreign tobacco companies used their financial and technological advantages to expand aggressively in the Chinese market, monopolizing most of the market share.
According to statistics, in the 30s of the last century, foreign-funded cigarettes accounted for 60% of China's cigarette market. Among them, Daqianmen was one of the best-selling brands at that time.
Smoking a big front door and tasting the Beijing charm bones, in that turbulent era, this seems to have become a special feeling. Many literati and artists have a soft spot for Daqianmen, regard it as a spiritual companion, and place their ideals and pursuits.
Liang Qichao, Yu Dafu and others were once loyal fans of Daqianmen. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, foreign-funded cigarette companies were impacted, and Daqianmen was no longer in the limelight.
However, this brand did not withdraw from the historical stage, but achieved national transformation and became the brand of the Chinese themselves. It's just that with the change of times, it has gradually faded out of people's field of vision, and its sales are not as good as before.
The glory of the past is like the wisp of green smoke, which gradually dissipates in the smoke and clouds of history.
Zhonghua brand cigarettes
In that era of scarcity of materials, Zhonghua brand cigarettes were undoubtedly a special existence. It was expensive, a small bag cost 6 jiao 2 cents, and a large bag was as high as 7 jiao 2 cents, which was a sky-high price at the time.
However, what matches its price is its superior quality. Zhonghua brand cigarettes live up to their name and can be called "Grade A cigarettes". Such a high-end brand naturally has its special market positioning.
At that time, Chinese cigarettes were mainly supplied to the elite of society, such as professors, engineers and other important talents. Being able to enjoy Chinese cigarettes is itself a symbol of status and status.
However, even if you have money, you may not be able to buy Chinese cigarettes easily. During the planned economy, cigarettes, like other supplies, were distributed through a ticket system.
The high "value" of Chinese cigarettes can be seen from the way they are exchanged. A cigarette ticket can be exchanged for 20 packs for other brands, while Chinese cigarettes can only be exchanged for 10 packs.
However, such restrictions do not pose an obstacle for some people. Personnel working in state-owned enterprises can use overseas Chinese remittance vouchers or foreign currency to buy Chinese cigarettes if they are on a business trip. These cigarettes are often used to receive VIPs or as precious gifts for relatives and friends.
Chinese cigarettes, because of their price and scarcity, have become a special symbol, a symbol of identity and status in that era. It bears witness to the unique style of an era and also carries the collective memory of a generation.
Cosmos brand cigarettes
In 1984, the famous cross talk actor Ma Ji brought a cross talk called "Universe Brand Cigarettes" at the Spring Festival Gala.
This humorous and witty performance not only brought laughter to the audience, but also opened a door to the national market for a little-known cigarette brand.
The "Universe Brand Cigarettes" mentioned in Ma Ji's cross talk inspired the Muling Cigarette Factory in Heilongjiang Province to produce cigarettes of the same name. This witty marketing strategy allowed Muling Cigarette Factory to seize a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
They immediately registered the "Cosmos" trademark and began to vigorously promote this new brand in the national market. Ma Ji has also been invited many times to build a brand image for the Universe brand cigarettes.
With his help, the Universe brand cigarettes once swept the market, priced at 2 yuan a box, which was quite expensive at that time.
However, the brand's fortunes have not been smooth sailing. With the intensification of market competition, Muling Cigarette Factory was finally acquired by Harbin Cigarette Factory, and the Universe brand cigarettes were also discontinued.
Double Happiness
In the long history of tobacco in China, there is a brand that shines like a bright pearl, and that is Double Happiness.
Born in 1906, the brand of Shanghai Cigarette Factory has not only witnessed the development of China's tobacco industry, but also deeply integrated into the festive culture of the Chinese nation.
Double happiness, as the name suggests, is two happy words. In traditional Chinese culture, red symbolizes auspiciousness, festivity, and joy, while double happiness symbolizes double happiness and beauty.
It is precisely because of this cultural connotation that Double Happiness plays a pivotal role in the festive occasions of Chinese. Whether it's a wedding, a 100-day feast, or a festive occasion such as the New Year, double happiness is an indispensable part.
Its red and festive packaging seems to be the embodiment of joy and happiness, igniting a red double happiness, like lighting the fire of joy, making the atmosphere of joy more intense.
A red double happiness has witnessed countless joyful moments of life. It accompanies the newlyweds into the marriage hall and blesses them to grow old together; It appears at the Hundred Days Banquet to witness the birth and growth of new life.
It is also seen at New Year's gatherings to share the joy of the New Year with friends and family. Double Happiness has gone far beyond the scope of a tobacco brand and has become a symbol of Chinese festive culture.
It is worth mentioning that due to Double Happiness's profound cultural heritage and long history, some of its old packaging has also become a collector's item.
These age-old packaging is not only an object, but also a piece of history and a feeling. Their value has gone far beyond their practical value as cigarette packaging.
Peony cigarettes
Born in 1922, this brand has not only witnessed the changes of China's tobacco industry, but also deeply integrated into the development and changes of Chinese society.
Peony has a long and special status in the culture of the Chinese nation. It is known as the "king of flowers" and symbolizes wealth, auspiciousness and elegance.
It is based on this cultural connotation that the local tobacco company in Shanghai chose Peony as the name and image of this new brand.
Interestingly, the original packaging of the peony cigarettes was not the red we are familiar with now, but white. This choice may reflect an aesthetic trend in the society at that time.
Despite the fact that no red color was chosen, the quality of the peony cigarettes was excellent. With its unique flue-cured tobacco process and tangerine peel flower aroma, peony cigarettes quickly gained a firm foothold in the market.
It has won the National Golden Bull Award and has also been rated as a Grade A cigarette, which is an affirmation of its quality. Another feature of peony cigarettes is its people-friendly positioning.
Compared with some high-end brands of the same period, such as Zhonghua and Yunyan, the price of peony cigarettes is more popular. In the early days, the price was 5 jiao a pack, which was slightly lower than that of China.
This makes Peony cigarettes not only a status symbol for officials and small business operators, but also a brand that ordinary people can afford.
With the development of the times, prices continue to rise, but the price of peony cigarettes has always adhered to the people-friendly line. Even in modern times, the price of a pack of peony cigarettes is only about 20 yuan, which is still one of the cheaper brands in the market.
Of course, Peony Cigarettes have also launched some special editions, such as Peony Cigarettes packaged in flat tin boxes. These special editions are positioned higher and are designed to reflect the prestige of the smoker.
Unfortunately, with the change of times, the original factory of Peony cigarettes has been discontinued. Although peony cigarettes are still available in the market, their flavors are different from those of the past.
Evergrande cigarettes
The birth of Evergrande cigarettes can be traced back to Tianjin in 1947. At that time, Tianjin China Evergrande Enterprise Company launched this new cigarette brand.
As a new brand, Evergrande Cigarettes has adhered to the concept of high standards and high requirements from the very beginning. It is very particular in the selection of materials, only high-quality tobacco raw materials are selected, and the process is also very advanced, using the most advanced production technology at that time.
It is precisely because of this unremitting pursuit of quality that Evergrande cigarettes quickly gained a firm foothold in the market and became one of the high-end famous cigarettes at that time.
As a high-end brand, the price of Evergrande cigarettes is naturally not cheap. This makes its consumer base mainly concentrated in the middle and upper classes of society. Smoking Evergrande cigarettes was a symbol of status and status at that time.
However, with the development of the times, Evergrande Cigarettes has also begun to realize that it is not enough to rely on the high-end market, it needs to expand its own consumer group.
As a result, Evergrande Cigarettes launched an affordable version called "Memories Edition". The price of this version is more affordable, between 50 and 90 yuan, so that more ordinary consumers can also taste the charm of Evergrande cigarettes.
epilogue
Although some cigarettes have disappeared from the market, people can no longer find them. However, the good memories and taste of these cigarettes must remain in the memories of many people.
However, although cigarettes can be refreshed for some people and relieve some psychological pressure, they should still be in moderation and not excessive smoking.
Finally, what else do you know about other out-of-print cigarettes?
Resources:
Chongxin Rong Media - China's out-of-print old cigarettes, if you have seen more than 5 kinds, it means that you are old, how many old smokers have smoked?
https://www.toutiao.com/article/7358374234764132927/?channel=&source=news
Jinta County Rong Media Center - China's out-of-print old cigarettes, smoking more than 3 kinds means that you are old, how many old smokers remember?
https://www.sohu.com/a/770898462_120775641