Talk:Virginia Slims Superslims / Virginia Slims Duo
From Tobacco Products
I have been smoking Virginia Slim Menthol Superslims for 21 years. This is the only cigarettes that i will smoke, but i've recently been having alot of trouble finding a store that sells them. Store clerks will reach for the new "Purse Pack" and I let them know real quick that the "purse Pack" is Virginia Slim Menthol Superslim """LIGHTS""" not Virginia Slim Menthol Superslims. I first thought that maybe these places did'nt realize that there is a difference that maybe they are thinking that it's just a new look, a cuter smaller pack, but now store clerks are telling me that that is the only menthol superslims that they can get. Stores are now saying that they can NO longer get these in stock because Philip Morris is no longer making "Virginia Slim Menthol Superslims". What I would like to know,"is this information that i'm hearing true? I hope this is a big mistake!!!!! I do not and absolutely refuse to buy or smoke those new menthol superslim "LIGHTS" purse packs. When they first come out with these I did on several occasions purchase these only when a store was out of superslim menthol. It did'nt take me smoking but only 1 of the superslim menthol lights "purse pack" to notice a EXTREMELY HUGE DIFFERENCE. I DO NOT like them at all, they are totally different!!!!!!!! First of all its a LIGHT cigarette, it's like trying to suck air through a straw, you get absolutely nothing out of it. The ashes are even different (that part I could care less about) they are very flaky and ashes will just fall off and fly around in dead air, there does'nt even have to be a breeze. Also, you can't keep one lit its constantly burning out on it's own and you have to keep lighting the same cigarette 8 times just to get the whole (one) smoked. I HOPE that philip morris is not going to replace Virginia Slim Mentol Superslims with Virginia Slim Menthol Superslim LIGHTS. If they are their making a VERY BIG MISTAKE!!!!!! Not just my opinion, I know alot of women that smoke the same kind as I do and they all see and feel the same way about this. It is a very popular cigarette, if they do stop making this brand then Philip Morris does'nt obviously care about giving faithful customers what they want or keeping these customers happy. If they start taking popular cigarettes off the market & thinking the customers will just replace it with a different kind they need to rethink again. The Superslim Menthols ecspecially because they can not be replaced because of the size, people who smoke these are use to the size and dont like the bigger cigerettes. We can't even go to a cheaper cigerette like regular smokers can to save a little money because they NO OTHER COMPANY makes a generic this size. Capris, ha, this is'nt even an option!!!!
Well, let's address the comments above. Virginia Slims Superslims were introduced in late 1989 and early 1990, so you have only been smoking them for at most 20 years.
Regarding the newer style being a "LIGHT cigarette", your original Superslims are considered Ultra Lights. The original menthol Superslims are known for having a strong, cool menthol taste, while the newer Lights aren't as minty, so that's the difference you're tasting.
The newer Lights are also listed as "FSC", which means they comply with newer regulations requiring cigarettes to be more fire-safe. This has the side-effect of the ash to fall off at inopportune times. The original Superslims are double-wrapped to provide the low-smoke aspect, with the side-effect of causing ashes to be harder to tap off whenever you want.
Virginia Slims Superslims are not a popular cigarette, as seen by examining market share. Capri has a larger share, and it's only around .4%, from what I remember.
When the new Purse Packs were announced, there were plans to also release the original Superslims (which have not been discontinued) in the newer packaging. Pack inserts are just beginning to hit store shelves indicating that the new packaging is coming soon.
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I am experiencing similar issues. The new packaging for Virginia Superslims is fine but WHY IN THE WORLD did they change the taste of the cigarettes? They are AWFUL! I have one right now and it leaves an aftertaste like no other - maybe Capri. But I have been smoking VS Superslims for years - now I cannot even get a good pack. My smoking has literally been cut in half because of the nasty taste of these new things. I just cannot stand them! Why????? I see NO ONE smoking these Purse Pack things - that is just dumb. Why do that? So the gas stations save space on the cigarette rack? Whatever. I'll bet sales tanks on these things and in a year, they will no longer even be made because there will be no market for them. All the VS smokers will find something else. ... Very disappointed.....
