Virginia Slims is an American brand of 100mm and 120mm cigarettes which is owned by Altria, and manufactured by Philip Morris USA in the U.S. and Philip Morris International outside the U.S.
After smoking Marlboro lights and Marlboro lights 100's for my first three years as a smoker, Virginia Slims Lights 120's (as they were called back then, eventuallly Virginis Slims Luxury Lights 120's, and eventually Virginia Slims Gold 120's) would be my go-to cigarette from 1990 to 2010, and I still buy an occasional pack of them today. During my six years in Germany from 1995 to 2001, since they weren't available there, I would smoke primarily (German) EVE 120's, and occasionally Marlboro reds 100's. And I'd love it when non-smoking friends would bring me a carton of my beloved VS 120's when they visited the US. They are truly a top quality cigarette, and have always maintained a large share of women who smoke 120's.
Brand history
Virginia Slims (full-flavor) 100's (both regular and menthol) were introduced by Philip Morris on July 22, 1968 and marketed as a female-oriented spinoff of the company's Benson & Hedges brand. The blends, flavorings, color scheme and overall marketing concepts closely followed the Benson & Hedges model. Early packs (1968-1978) continued to read "Benson and Hedges Park Avenue New York" near the bottom. The first test market was San Francisco. Origially scheduled for six months, it was cut short after seven weeks because of the success of the introduction, a nearly 3% market penetration. Dnistribution and marketing was implemented nationwide, and by September 30, 1968, the entire U.S. was included. Over the following years, the Virginia Slims line would be increased geometrically. Virginia Slims Ovals 100's would be unsuccessfully introduced and quickly withdrawn in 1984, Virginia Slims 120's, the answer to More 120's, would be introduced in 1975, and quickly withdrawn due to lack of success, but be reintroduced in 1985, not only with great success, but would lauch a 120's phenomenon. Virginia Slims Superslims 100's and Virginia Slims Ultralight 100's would follow in 1987, along with Virginia Slims Ultralight 120's in 2004.
Advertising
Philip Morris made various advertising billboards and posters, to aggressively advertise and promote Virginia Slims since the 1960s. Such advertisements always featured attractive younger women with a cigarette, and the stylish packs in the corner. These advertisement salways presented the cigarette as a fashion accessory, featuring fashion-forward models. This advertising would be the first example of "femvertising".
Markets
The Virginia Slims styles listed here are sold exclusively within the United States. European styles are manufactured by Philip Morris International. While they are also available in military commissaries and exchanges in the United States, not all styles are available in American military commissaries and exchanges overseas.
Varieties
Virginia Slims are 23 mm (0.91 in) in circumference and are available in 100 mm (3.9 in) and 120 mm (4.7 in) lengths. The full-flavors feature 27% filtration, the gold 100's feature 40% ventilation, the gold 120's feature 27% ventilation, and the silver 100's feature 56% ventilation
Current styles, and 2007 values for tar, nicotine, and CO content include:
Virginia Slims (full-flavor) 100's, introduced in 1968
14 mg tar, 1.1 mg nicotine, 12 mg CO
Virginia Slims Menthol (full-flavor) 100's, introduced in 1968
14 mg tar, 1.1 mg nicotine, 12 mg CO
Virginia Slims Gold 100's (originally released as Virginia Slims Light 100's), introduced
in 1978
9 mg tar, 0.7 mg nicotine, 9 mg CO
Virginia Slims Menthol Gold 100's (originally released as Virginia Slims Menthol
Light 100's), introduced in 1978
9 mg tar, 0.7 mg nicotine, 9 mg CO
Virginia Slims Gold 120's (originally released as Virginia Slims Luxury Light
120's), introduced in 1985
13 mg tar, 1.0 mg nicotine, 12 mg CO
Virginia Slims Menthol Gold 120's (originally released as Virginia Slims Luxury
Light 120's), introduced in 1985
13 mg tar, 1.0 mg nicotine, 12 mg CO
Virginia Slims Silver 100's (originally released as Virginia Slims Ultralight
100's), introduced in 1987
6 mg tar, 0.5 mg nicotine, 6 mg CO
Virginia Slims Menthol Silver 100's (originally released as Virginia Slims Menthol
Ultralight 100's), introduced in 1987
5 mg tar, 0.5 mg nicotine, 6 mg CO
Virginia Slims Superslims 100's, introduced in 1987
6 mg tar, 0.5 mg nicotine, 6 mg CO
Virginia Slims Menthol Superslims 100's , introduced in 1987
6 mg tar, 0.5 mg nicotine, 5 mg CO
Luxury Ultralight 120's), introduced in 2004
8 mg tar, 0.7 mg nicotine, 9 mg CO
Virginia Slims Menthol Silver 120's (originally released as
Virginia Slims Luxury Ultralight 120's), introduced in 2004
8 mg tar, 0.7 mg nicotine, 9 mg CO
Discontinued styles include:
Virginia Slims 120's and Virginia Slims Menthol 120's
(introduced unsuccessfully in 1975, quickly withdrawn)
unsuccessfully in 1984, quickly withdrawn)
unsuccessfully in 1984, quickly withdrawn)
The Virginia Slims Advertisement Models
I would be curious to know who these ladies were/are. There is something special about a woman who smokes extra long cigarettes. Especially these ladies with their beautiful appearance, their make-up, their manicured nails (and their own nails, at that), their direct and sultry appearance. These ads are from the 80's; these ladies were probably in their 20s at this time. Today they are in their sixties, but there is little doubt that they are as sexy now as they were then. If not more so.
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