Seven Stars (cigarette)

Seven Stars (セブンスター, sebun sutā) is a brand of cigarettes produced by Japan Tobacco.

Seven Stars

Two Japanese packs of Japanese Seven Stars cigarettes, with Japanese text warnings at the bottom of the packs.
Product type	Cigarette
Owner	Japan Tobacco
Produced by	Japan Tobacco
Country	Japan
Introduced	February 1, 1969
Markets	See Markets
Tagline	"Silent Man", "Silent Smoke", "Seven Stars Men", "Quietly and expanding", "Menthol tasteable", "Strong, menthol strong"

History

Seven Stars was launched on February 1, 1969 as the first cigarette with a charcoal filter. The brand uses domestically blended tobaccos, mainly used from domestic leaf tobacco, and it is still popular in the top sales performance amongst all JTI brands. The original soft pack recorded the 1st ranking of sales from 1975 to 1977 and after that it was ranked 2nd in sales following the original light and super light of the derivative product Mild Seven (present: Mevius) which became the most popular brand, but in the 2008 Seven Stars had returned to the 1st ranking in sales for the first quarter (April - June) and continued to defend its position up until 2016. The nickname is "Seta", "Bunta" and so on. The Menthol variant has the nickname "SETAMEN".

Changes in the design and length of wrapping paper and chip paper have been made several times, but conspicuous design change of the star crimp package has not been done since the launch (It was changed to King size in 1993 And in 1999 some changes were made to the "Seven Stars" logo on the packs). Since the beginning of the 21st century, low-tar products, menthol products are sold. "Seven Star Black Charcoal Menthol Box" was released on August 3, 2009 (renewed to Seven Star Solid Menthol Box at the end of February 2011). The activated carbon is made with special membrane by adopting "Advanced Charcoal Tec Filter" which prevented covering and adsorption of the menthol, it was released as a product adopting charcoal filter for menthol tobacco for the first time in Japan. However, when it was re-renewed to "Seven Star Menthol 8 Box" on April 14, 2014 the filter had been changed to a plain filter.

In addition, due to the increase in tobacco tax on October 1, 2010 and the consumption tax increase on April 1, 2014 , all Seven Star variants were raised to 440 and 460 Yen respectively.

By the middle of March 2012, JTI used high intensity ink for the star brick color (gold / silver) in the original 2 types, medium, light packs, the color of the star pattern of the seal paper was changed from white to silver and a change was made that enhanced the silver shine of the opening tape and glossy. In mid April 2014, 3 kinds of menthol were renewed to 3 brands which blended fully ripened leaves, renewed. The tar of the medium and light variants were lowered to 10 and 7 mg in the middle of June, and in 10/7 / 4/1 mg in early July a soft pack variant was released for both.

Although the basic design of all products except the cutting menthol was unified with the original, the regular was the color of the seal paper and the part of 7, while the menthol was identified by the green density of the background, but it was hard to understand from far away. From the middle of June 2015, the tar of the silver variant was lowered to 10 mg and 7 mg, 4 mg and 1 mg were changed to golden and silver seal paper in black ground, menthol changed the background color to a more distinct color and the tar value notation is displayed more prominently.

It is packaged as king size (85 mm), 20 cigarettes in a hard pack. The brand was created in response to customer demands for a low tar, menthol and D-spec (low smoke smell) product.[1][2]

The Seven Star Tree became an overnight sensation when its image was used on a package of Seven Star cigarettes. It is a scenic spot that represents the beautiful scenery of the hills of Biei, Hokkaido.[3]

Marketing

In the middle of the 1990s and early 2000s, there was a time when Toyoshikawa Etsushi in the original series, Sugimoto Tetsuta in the custom light (present medium) and Quartz in the Menthol series were appointed. From 2007 to 2011, BOOM BOOM SATELLITES , CHAKI ( THE LOWBROWS ), Ohno Masao (ripvanwinkle) was appointed on the Web and magazine advertisements, entitled "Men who resonate with Seven Stars". The catchphrase of Seven Star is "Silent Man" (1996), "Silent Smoke" (1998 - 2001), "Seven Stars Men" (2003) and "Quietly and expanding" (2007 - 2011). Menthol series is "Menthol tasteable" and "Strong, menthol strong". The catch phrase at the time of design change of the custom light and menthol light of 2002 was custom light "ALL NEW", menthol light "BOX NEW". The catch phrase at the time of release of Black Charcoal Menthol was "Japan's only. The sharpness was extremely, charcoal menthol.", The catchphrase of the discontinued product is black and impact "is clearly crispy taste, it stands outstanding black".. The catchphrase of the Light menthol is "Deep menthol is deep and sharp, Deep Menthol" Solid Menthol is "Sharpness stands out. Solid Menthol", Alaska Menthol "Extreme Coldness Alaska menthol." And the snap box was "PLAY! SNAP".

The catch phrase of each product now is the same as the original phrase "Only one, certain taste", Medium "Do not distract, Fun", Wright "Sharpened, Treated", Real Rich" , Melisole series is "Menthol, ripe taste umami", Cutting Menthol is "Ultra fine menthol, one point concentrated".

Markets

Seven Stars are mainly sold in Japan, but also were or still are sold in Singapore, Austria and Ukraine.[4][5][6][7]

Sport sponsorship

Seven Stars sponsored the Honda team (it was known as the "Seven Star Honda" team) in the Suzuka 8 Hours. Two bikes were entered in 2003, and in 2004 the drivers (which were Tohru Ukawa and Izutsu Yoshiyasu) won the race in 2004. The team once again won in 2005 (with the drivers being Tohru Ukawa and Ryuichi Kiyonari).[8][9][10][11] Also, Seven Stars Honda limited packs were sold at Suzuka Circuit during the eight seasons.

Products

• Seven Stars (Soft Pack/Box)
• Seven Stars Medium (Box)
• Seven Stars Lights (Box)
• Seven Stars Black Impact (Soft Pack)
• Seven Stars Menthol (Box)
• Seven Stars Lights Menthol (Soft Pack/Box)
• Seven Stars Black Charcoal Menthol (Box)
• Seven Stars Revo Lights Menthol
• Seven Stars Revo Super Lights

Below are all the variants of Seven Stars cigarettes, with the levels of tar and nicotine included.

Name	Release date	Date of discontinuance	Price in ¥	Tar	Nicotine	Description
Seven Stars	February 1, 1969	Still available	460 Yen	14 mg	1,2 mg	Hanshin Tigers package released in limited quantity in 2005. In addition, as a limited package, a Black Edition was released in 2008 and Special edition was released in limited quantity in 2009, respectively.
Seven Stars EX	October 1, 1986	December 1993	240 Yen	14 mg	1,3 mg	At the time in 1986, it was released as a King size (85 mm) version of Seven Star which was a long size (80 mm). However, the leaf blend was different, not the domestic blend but the same American blend as the Mild Seven. In addition, the tar value was lower by 1 mg and the nicotine value was set higher by 0.1 mg in comparison with Seven Star of the time. Abolished with Seven Star's 1993 King size.
Seven Stars 10 Box	May 1, 1990	Still available	460 Yen	10 mg	0,8 mg	Release ~ October 2008 is a custom light box, the name of Seven Star Medium Box from November 2008 to June 2014, the box top was golden.
Seven Stars Custom Light	November 1, 1993	October 1995	240 Yen	11 mg	1,0 mg	Soft pack, de facto revival as Seven Stars 10 in July 2014
Seven Stars Box	August 1, 1995	Still available	460 Yen	14 mg	1,2 mg	Side slide box (Limited Edition) released in limited quantity in 2007.
Seven Stars Menthol Box	August 1, 2000	Late February 2011	440 Yen	12 mg	0,8 mg	Successor: Seven Stars Deep Menthol Box. Side slide box (Limited Edition) is released in limited quantities in 2007 and 2009.
Seven Stars Menthol Light Box	June 4, 2001	October 31, 2008	300 Yen	8 mg	0,6 mg	Tar value unification with light menthol of soft pack with standard change
Seven Stars 7 Box	July 1, 2004	Still available	460 Yen	7 mg	0,7 mg	The name of the Seven Stars Light Box until June 2014, the box top was silver. Initially at the launch in 2004, it was a product limited to the Fukuoka prefecture, but from 2005 the next year it expanded its sales area to national sales.
Seven Stars Levo Light Menthol Box	February 1, 2005	January 2011	440 Yen	7 mg	0,6 mg	D-spec Seven Star Menthol leaves are used.
Seven Stars Revo Super Light Box	July 1, 2005	January 2011	440 Yen	5 mg	0,5 mg	I use D-spec lights and custom light leaves.
Seven Stars Levo Ultra Light Menthol Box	January 16, 2006	January 2009	320 Yen	3 mg	0,2 mg	D-spec
Seven Stars Light Menthol	February 4, 2008	May 2011	440 Yen	7 mg	0,6 mg	As a limited package in 2009 the special edition was released in limited quantity. Box top is yellow green.
Seven Stars Light Menthol Box	November 1, 2008	May 2011	440 Yen	7 mg	0,6 mg	Change name and taste in November 2008 (Soft pack and unified). Side slide box (Limited Edition) released in limited quantity in 2009. Until October 2008 the box top was silver color with the name of Menthol Light, but it was replaced with yellow green upon package change. Package is same as soft pack.
Seven Stars Alaska Menthol Box	December 2, 2008	May 2014	440 Yen	5 mg	0,4 mg	Successor: Seven Stars Menthol 5 Box. Brand shift from Salem Alaska Menthol since October 2011. Filter is a plain filter with flavored threads. As a triple mint recipe, by blending Peppermint, Corn Mint, Spearmint with optimum balance, adding menthol to three parts of knurling, filtering and enclosing aluminum, it emphasizes more menthol feeling, "It is frozen as super Strong menthol sense" has been realized.
Seven Stars Black Impact	February 2, 2009	May 2011	440 Yen	7 mg	0,7 mg	Seven Stars wearing black. It was released as a 40th anniversary commemoration release.
Seven Stars Black Charcoal Menthol Box	August 3, 2009	Late February 2011	440 Yen	7 mg	0,6 mg	Successor: Seven Stars Solid Menthol Box. Japan's first charcoal filter / menthol.
Seven Stars Black Impact Box	April 1, 2010	Late February 2011	440 Yen	7 mg	0,7 mg	Successor: Seven Stars Solid Box.
Seven Stars Deep Menthol Box	Late February 2011	May 2014	440 Yen	12 mg	0,9 mg	Successor: Seven Stars Menthol 12 Box. Successor to "Seven Star Menthol Box" released until the end of February 2011. Changed from a plain to a charcoal filter, menthol feeling became stronger. Also, the indicated nicotine value went from 0.8 mg to 0.9 mg.
Seven Stars Solid Menthol Box	Late February 2011	May 2014	440 Yen	7 mg	0,6 mg	Successor: Seven Stars Menthol 8 Box. Successor to "Seven Stars Black Charcoal Menthol Box" which was the first charcoal filter menthol in Japan. It was renewed, and the feeling of menthol became stronger.
Seven Stars Solid Box	Late February 2011	July 2014	460 Yen	7 mg	0,7 mg	We renewed from "Seven Stars Black Impact Box" from late February 2011. Stimulation was suppressed in taste, ease of sucking increased. Sales scheduled for completion in mid July 2014
Seven Stars Cutting Menthol	August 29, 2011	February 2017	460 Yen	7 mg	0,6 mg	Seven Star's first super slim product. Filter is a plain filter with flavored threads. Beginning in mid-November 2011, we are further enhancing the feeling of menthol.
Seven Stars Menthol Snap Box	September 3, 2012	May 2014	440 Yen	7 mg	0,7 mg
Seven Stars Real Rich	December 2, 2013	Still available	460 Yen	14 mg'	1,2 mg	A product that realized rich and rich flavor / fragrance with little spicy. Package of elegant shade based on deep red.
Seven Stars Real Rich	December 2, 2013	Still available	460 Yen	14 mg'	1,2 mg	A product that realizes a rich smokey feeling with sharpness. Package of powerful shade based on black.
Seven Stars 1	July 1, 2014	Still available	460 Yen	1 mg	0,1 mg
Seven Stars 4	July 1, 2014	Still available	460 Yen	4 mg	0,4 mg
Seven Stars 7	July 1, 2014	Still available	460 Yen	7 mg	0,7 mg
Seven Stars 10	July 1, 2014	Still available	460 Yen	7 mg	0,7 mg
Seven Stars Menthol 5 Box	April 14, 2014	Still available	460 Yen	5 mg	0,5 mg	Successor to "Seven Stars Alaska Menthol Box" released until May 2014. It was changed from a flavored threaded filter to a regular plain filter, and the rich flavor and deep flavor of ripened leaves has been changed to a blend of features.
Seven Stars Menthol 8 Box	April 14, 2014	Still available	460 Yen	8 mg	0,7 mg	Successor to "Seven Stars Solid Menthol Box" released until May 2014. Changed from a charcoal to a plain filter, the rich flavor of ripened leaves and deep flavors have been changed to a blend of features. In addition, the tar / nicotine display value went from 7 mg / 0.6 mg to 8 mg / 0.7 mg.
Seven Stars Menthol 12 Box	April 14, 2014	Still available	460 Yen	12 mg	0,9 mg	Successor to "Seven Stars Deep Menthol Box" released until May 2014. Changed from a charcoal to a plain filter, the rich flavor of ripened leaves and deep flavors have been changed to a blend of features.
Seven Stars Menthol Beat 8 Box	September 25, 2015	Still available	460 Yen	8 mg	0,6 mg	With a firm menthol taste, you can enjoy with menthol feeling sucking response with a refreshing aftertaste
Seven Stars Menthol Smash 8 Box	September 25, 2015	Still available	460 Yen	8 mg	0,6 mg	Before crushing the capsule, it is a simple strong menthol, after smashing the product the smell of lemon apple spreads
Seven Stars Long Time 6 Box	January 15, 2016	Still available	480 Yen	6 mg	0,6 mg	Products that doubled smoking time by devising combinations of various raw materials such as blank paper and cigarette leaves
Seven Stars Long Time 10 Box	January 15, 2016	Still available	480 Yen	10 mg	1,0 mg	Products that doubled smoking time by devising combinations of various raw materials such as blank paper and cigarette leaves
Seven Stars Long Time Menthol 8 Box	January 15, 2016	Still available	480 Yen	8 mg	0,7 mg	Products that doubled smoking time by devising combinations of various raw materials such as blank paper and cigarette leaves

See also

• Japan Tobacco
• Smoking in Japan
• Fashion brands

References

1. "pingmag.jp - This website is for sale! - デザイン Resources and Information". pingmag.jp. Cite uses generic title (help)
2. "Japanese Cigarette Brands". wonderfulrife.blogspot.nl.
3. "The Seven Star Tree - Hokkaido Travel Guide - Planetyze". Planetyze.
4. "BrandSeven Stars - Cigarettes Pedia". www.cigarettespedia.com.
5. "BrandSeven Stars 7 - Cigarettes Pedia". www.cigarettespedia.com.
6. "Seven Stars". www.zigsam.at.
7. "Brands". www.cigarety.by.
8. "3. Seven Stars Honda".
9. "Honda Worldwide - 2004 The Suzuka 8 Hours". world.honda.com.
10. "Seven Stars Honda Angry Over Suzuka 8-Hours Race Safety". www.roadracingworld.com.
11. "Seven Stars 2005 - Honda CBR1000 Forum : 1000RR.net". www.1000rr.net.