Zig-Zag (company)

Zig-Zag rolling papers

Zig-Zag is a brand of rolling papers that originated in France. It is marketed in the USA by Turning Point Brands, in Europe by Republic Technologies, and in Japan by Tsuge Pipes. The Zig-Zag brand produces primarily hand-rolled tobacco related products such as cigarette rolling papers, cigarette tubes and rolling accessories.

Zig-Zag products

Cigarette papers: Made from wood pulp and flax, and uses natural gum Arabic, they come in five sizes. One size is the single wide. This size is often called "the white pack" because of its color. Another size is the size 78 often called "the orange pack" (or "orangies" in some areas) because of its color. The third size are the kings, or king size, also known for their orange or reddish hue, the fourth is 1½ and the fifth is double wide. Usually the white pack and orange pack are sold together in many stores across the United States. In Canada, the most popular size is the single wide, but with "kut-corners". In Australia, the most popular size is King size. There are also varieties within these sizes including Liquorice, Water Resistant, Slow Burning, and Free Burning.
Cigarette tobacco: Sold in four varieties.
Filtered cigarette tubes: These are filters for hand-rolled cigarettes.
Filter cigarette making machine: This is a basic rolling machine, used to roll tobacco into cigarette papers; it provides an alternative to rolling cigarettes by hand.
Cigar Wraps: Flavored cigar wraps, officially made for use with cigar tobacco.
Cigarillos: Flavored mini cigars, similar to that of Phillies. Common flavors are mango, grape, and natural.

History of Zig-Zag

The company was founded in 1855 by Maurice and Jacques Braunstein. Based in Paris, in 1882 the company built the Papeterie de Gassicourt, a cigarette paper production plant near the town of Mantes-la-Jolie. In 1894 they invented the process of "interleaving" rolling papers. They called their papers Zig-Zag after the zigzag alternating packaging process. In 1900, Zig-Zag was awarded a gold medal at the Universal Exposition in Paris.

Success led to expansion in 1919 to a new mill in Thonon-les-Bains. During World War II, the company's original facility in Mantes-la-Jolie was destroyed and at war's end, all production was shifted to the Thonon factory.

With the death of Jacques Braunstein, in the 1950s Zig-Zag was sold to a partnership of the Group Bolloré and competitor JOB. In 2000, Zig-Zag became part of Republic Technologies of which Group Bolloré owns 19 percent.

Captain Zig-Zag

The zouave soldier portrayed on the front of Zig-Zag products is colloquially known as the "Zig-Zag man". The choice of a member of this French North African regiment as a Zig-Zag icon originates from a folk story about an incident in the battle of Sevastopol. When the soldier's clay pipe was destroyed by a bullet, he attempted to roll his tobacco using a piece of paper torn from a musket cartridge.[1]

In an advertising campaign in the 1960s, Zig-Zag published leaflets with the zouave facing the viewer (much like Uncle Sam) and the caption, "Captain Zig-Zag wants YOU!" The reason for using the rank of "captain" is unclear as the Zig-Zag man is portrayed in the fez and embroidered jacket of an ordinary zouave and is not an officer.

Counterfeit Zig-Zags

Although an inexpensive item, counterfeit Zig-Zags have been an issue throughout recent years with several cases of counterfeit sales—and legal action that has resulted the seizure of businesses, large multi-million dollar fines and criminal liability.[2] Imitation Zig-Zags, which may look similar to authentic products, are of substandard quality but sold at regular price.[3]

In the case of a man arrested for trafficking counterfeit Zig-Zags in 2005, prosecutors claim his actions cost legitimate distributors approximately $1.8 million.[4] According to attorneys at Venable LLP, Zig-Zag takes a "zero tolerance" stance on counterfeits. During 2015, successful counterfeit raids were conducted. Attorneys claim that they will continue to "prosecute known violators to the fullest extent of the law."[5]

In another case three men pleaded guilty in federal court to what the government described as a large-scale international scheme to manufacture and distribute counterfeit Zig-Zag cigarette papers. The alleged ringleaders, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, trafficking in counterfeit goods, money laundering and making false statements in federal court in Dallas, where they insisted in 2001 that they had stopped smuggling counterfeit cigarette papers. They are facing 3- to 4-year prison sentences and fines of up to $500,000.[6]

In another counterfeit scheme in 2006, conspirators purchased low-quality papers abroad and sent them to Mexico where inmates in a women's prison repackaged the cheap papers into counterfeit packages, creating a total of over one million counterfeit booklets. The lead conspirator pled guilty pursuant to a plea agreement to conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods and trafficking in counterfeit goods and will serve 46 months in prison and pay $566,267 in restitution.[7]

In 2017, North Atlantic Operating Co. Inc. (NAOC)—the importer and distributor of Zig-Zag merchandise—obtained an injunction and several hundred thousand dollars against more than a dozen individuals and businesses in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The counterfeits were discovered when undercover investigators were sold fake products in 2016.[8]

In 2018, police from the city of Yiwu in the Zhejiang Province in China targeted cigarette paper counterfeiters in a coordinated, multi-city action. A series of raids and detentions were focused on manufacturing facilities, packaging suppliers and trade companies. Fake versions of almost every major rolling paper brand, not just Zig-Zag, were discovered. The police investigation was supported by the Yiwu Tobacco Monopoly Bureau and the enforcement support team at Alibaba. All investigations are expected to be complete by the middle of 2018 with prosecutions to follow.[9]

In July 2018, Zig-Zag won a $3.1 million judgment against 14 groups of online counterfeiters for selling fake Zig-Zag rolling papers on eBay and other sites. Zig-Zag is using advanced marketplace monitoring, finding new ways to incentivize partners to report counterfeits and working closely with law enforcement to find counterfeiters. "We work every day to stay ahead of the counterfeiters and ensure the quality of our products. Our consumers, retailers, and wholesalers count on us to keep the industry clean." LeAnne Moore, assistant general counsel of National Tobacco, said in the release.[10]

At www.zigzag.com/quality-assurance, Zig-Zag provides consumers with information about the authentic Zig-Zag experience and encourages them to report fake products by filling out an online form or calling (800) 579-0975.[11] Retailers and distributors can visit authenticzigzag.com to learn more about identifying counterfeit Zig-Zag cigarette papers.[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Zig-Zag".
  2. ↑ https://csnews.com/zig-zag-cracks-down-counterfeit-products "Article in CS News"
  3. ↑ http://www.ryomagazine.com/april2001/papers.htm Article in "Roll Your Own Magazine"
  4. ↑ http://www.alekseystudio.com/projects/spinelli/newsletter/Spinelli_newsletter_Mar_05.html "Article in The Spinelli Report"
  5. ↑ http://www.cstoredecisions.com/2015/07/13/seizure-order-prevents-counterfeit-zig-zag-sales/#_ Article in "Convenience Store Decisions"
  6. ↑ https://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x4110721"Article in Democratic Democratic Underground"
  7. ↑ https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-5th-circuit/1156647.html"Article in FindLaw"
  8. ↑ http://www.cspdailynews.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/zig-zag-owners-settle-counterfeit-rolling-paper-lawsuit"Article in CSP Daily News"
  9. ↑ http://tobaccobusiness.com/naoc-chinese-authorities-tackle-counterfeit-cigarette-paper-network/ Article in "Tobacco Business Magazine"
  10. ↑ https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2018/07/03/parent-of-zig-zag-cigarette-papers-wins-3-1.html Article in "The Business Journals"
  11. ↑ https://www.zigzag.com/quality-assurance/ Article in "Zig-Zag.com"
  12. ↑ http://authenticzigzag.com/ Article in "Zig-Zag.com"
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