Faros Cigars corresponds to the name of one of the oldest brands of cigarettes, which were popular in Mexico especially at the beginning of the s. XX. One of the main characteristics of this product is that, thanks to its low cost, it became one of the favorite brands among the lower classes.
With the passage of time it also gained importance in terms of popular culture. Another important feature to note is that they used to be made without a filter and with rice paper, which made them consume much faster. It is said that at first they were made with dried corn leaves.
In recent years the brand has undergone a series of changes in terms of its presentation and elaboration, in order to insert itself in other economic sectors. Therefore, it is possible to find a variety of designs and even flavors.
Context
To understand the appearance of this cigar brand, it is important to point out a series of events that served as context:
-In the early s. XX there was an insertion of cigarette brands from the United States, the mixtures of which became popular with the population.
-Due to the wealth of the land, the national tobacco industry decided to carry out a series of studies to, later, begin production at the agricultural level, but trying to replicate the components of the American brands.
-Thanks to the above, the country presented an interesting potential for a series of transnationals, which later settled for the production process.
-From this point, what would be the first company in the country was installed in 1923, the British American Tobacoo, which began operations in several centers in the country: Federal District, Irapuato and Monterrey.
-With the passage of time more and more industries settled, which offered an important variety for consumers.
Thanks to the strength of the tobacco industry, it was possible to explore mixtures, products, and even companies that managed to settle in different parts of the country.
Origin and history
Some facts to highlight about the origin of the brand are the following:
-Some historians and experts indicate that the Tabacalera Nacional, a lighthouse factory (as well as other brands such as Monarcas, Argentinos, Casinos and Carmencitas), was founded in 1918 by Emetrio Padilla. However, there is a popular legend that indicates that they really emerged in 1910, at the beginning of the Mexican Revolution.
-Although there is a certain consensus on this version, there is another that states that this factory was actually established in the 1930s by Manuel H. Martínez Moncada.
-In any case, the brand became one of the most popular during that period, to the point that it was a kind of cultural reference thanks to its presentation in a paper box and its cigarettes wrapped in rice paper and without a filter.
-It began to gain popularity in the city of Irapuato, Guanajuato, to later expand to other towns.
-Its roots became deeper with the passage of time, which caught the interest of the Spanish businessman, founder of the Mexican Tabacalera (current Cigatam), which eventually bought the Faros brand (among others, such as Delicados, also popular in several social sectors).
-Today the brand persists as one of the oldest in the country, even new intentions to modernize it arose during the presidency of José María Basagoiti. This seeks to diversify the products to cover a greater number of public, at the same time that it is desired to raise quality standards.
-There are some by-products of this same company, which are also related to Lighthouses: Lighthouses Full Flavor, Suspiro Esmeralda, Furia Tropical and Morena de Fuego.
-Modifications have been made to the original version due to the requirements of the new sanitary laws, such as the addition of filters and the replacement of rice paper. However, according to some internet users it is possible to find the classics in certain stalls and kiosks in the capital.
Fun facts
In addition to the somewhat uncertain history and origin of the brand, the cultural importance of this product in the country has been made clear, especially by a series of data that is worth mentioning:
-It is associated with the expression "already sucked Faros", apparently originating in the Mexican Revolution. Those sentenced to death were granted one last wish: most of the time it was a drag from a cigarette; in this case, Lighthouses. The expression remains and is used to indicate that a person has passed away, regardless of the circumstances.
-This expression is also used to indicate a person or situation that is unlikely to recover.
-Although many agree that the phrase was coined during the Revolution, some point out that it was in the Cristero War, a movement led by the Church, which went against the anti-religious laws imposed by the government of Plutarco Elías Calles.
There was a strong confrontation between religious and the army, which left a high rate of priests and other authorities killed. These conflicts happened in Jalisco and Guanajuato; the latter was the place where the first lighthouse factory was located.
-It is associated with an expression that is also used daily: "Oh, Farito, even if you were Lucky Strike." This refers to the cheapness of the product and its consumption by the lower classes, in contrast to the American brand Lucky Strike, popular among people from the wealthy classes and with greater social and political influence.
-Although the origin of the cigar brand is disputed, it is an undeniable fact that the patent for Faros, as well as for Carmencitas, belongs to Emeterio Padilla Silva, who produced them at the beginning of the s. XX.
-Because a group of consumers still want to consume the original product, a kind of buying and selling network of Faros has been created, which guarantees the transport of these cigars to several customers who are in different parts of the country.
References
- Why have Faros cigars transcended? (2015). In The Big Why. Retrieved: May 30, 2018. In El Gran Por qué from elgranporque.com.
- Lighthouse cigarettes. (2017). In Cigarette Lighthouses. Retrieved: May 30, 2018. In Cigarillos Faros de web.facebook.com.
- Faros cigars: tinsmithing and painting. (2011). Expansion. Retrieved: May 30, 2018. In Expansión de expansion.mx.
- Suck headlights. (sf). In Wiktionary. Retrieved: May 30, 2018. In Wiktionary at es.wiktionary.com.
- "He sucked headlights": The origin. In Notus Noticias. Retrieved: May 30, 2018. In Notus Noticias de notus.com.mx.
- Myths and legends of Mexico. (2016). In Torreón City as a Team. Retrieved: May 30, 2018. In Torreón Ciudad in the web.facebook.com Team.