I chose TarGard....

Happy Holidays everyone!

Today's blog feature comes from the very words of one of our Hunter Thompson Contest Winners - Jerry W. from Charleston, West Virginia.

I chose TarGard many years ago when I started as a radio broadcaster. As much as I enjoy smoking. I knew that too many would ruin my voice eventually and possibly put me out of work. I finally left radio for a career in the fire department and later, came back as a radio talk show host.

I'm really glad I've used them all of these years!!

Hunter Thompson sort of reminds me of myself in the adventurous life he led and the willingness to have fun at the expense of his career.

Been there...done that. Always in hot water while continuing to live life to the fullest!

What can I say? Some people are just wired differently. :-)

Thank you Jerry for your sharing your TarGard story with us!

I wish you and everyone a safe, happy and tar-free New Year.

Check out TarGard right now - FREE SHIPPING on all orders shipping within the US. Just use the promotional code: DECFREE at checkout.

To learn more about TarGard please visit www.targard.com.

"TarGard disposables were epic to me."

THE WINNING PHOTO!

I give you Brian S. (the #1 vote getter in the Hunter Thompson Look-Alike Contest) in his own words...

Well, I am an 18 year old pack a day smoker who attends college. I've been involved a bit on the web and graphic design for a few years now. I'm a part time artist who enjoys his photoshop and caffeine laced energy drinks. I've focused most of my attention on advanced digital photo manipulations with a heavy dose of doodling (did I say I was a college student?).

I didn't quite choose TarGard as much as it chose me. After using an interview of Hunter S. Thompson as a reference for a college paper, I read the 'good Doctor's' reason for using such a contraption.

Basically, after seeing all the tar that came out he was hooked. So i Go ahead an pick up some filters from a local store, which just so happen to be TarGard disposables, and watched for myself. By the end of the first pack I saw what was left and decided that these little filters were gonna be my new friend.

I had tried one other leading filter system, and I found that their system left a weird chemical after taste. Not only that but the cigarette barely even fit on the end. TarGard disposables were epic to me. I got to keep the taste of my menthols, it gave me two usable hands and the change in draw was unnoticeable. not only that, but you could actually watch the tar collect which is a huge bonus.

Shortly after, I tried my best to find out what filters Thompson used and after a short Google search I found targard. Prior to this I hadn't even noticed what brand of cigarette filters I was using, which to my surprise was indeed TarGard. I saw the lookalike contest and felt compelled to show my patronage to my new friend TarGard and Hunter S. Thompson.

Hunter S. Thompson represents the unrecognized American hero. A guy who liked to smoke, drink and fire assault riffles at bats in the desert; All re-blooded American values. Thompson added tools for future writes and journalists with his offbeat gonzo style while living a strange foreign world he most likely was not fit for.

Congratulations Brian and thanks for the great post!

If you have any comments for Brian please post them here!

To learn more about TarGard please visit us at www.targard.com.

We have Winners!

The Hunter S. Thompson Look-Alike Contest has found it's winners!

Congratulations to:

Brian S. from Chesterland, OH - the #1 Vote Getter!!!!
Eric J. from Fairfax, VA
Jerry W. from Charleston, WV
Jaime Canaveral from Laval, Quebec in Canada

Check out their winning photos by clicking here!

All 4 winners will be receiving a YEAR'S SUPPLY of their favorite TarGard filters for free - a $350 value!

Thank you to everyone who submitted photos and to everyone else for rockin' the vote for their favorite photos.

And a HUGE thank you for helping us celebrate Hunter S. Thompson!

To learn more about TarGard please visit us at www.targard.com.

My Life with TarGard by William D.

I thought I would try something new so this week I invited one of our very, very loyal TarGard Users to be my guest blogger and write the post for all of us. This post is Willam's honest, true feelings explaining why TarGard is an important part of his life.

Introducing: My Life with TarGard by William D.

I would like to share my life with TarGard. It has been a long 45 years or so using TarGard. I am 73 today and feel like my good health is directly related to using TarGard. I started smoking at the age of 12 years old as at that time it was a peer pressure thing. If you didn't smoke, you were not part of the group.

I started with a corn cob pipe and then started experimenting with cigarettes. There was a store on the corner that sold cigarettes for a penny a piece. I still remember my first cigarette and the coughing and nausea associated with it but everyone in the movies smoked and all my friends did. I persisted until I could smoke with out too many side effects.

As with most people I developed chronic bronchitis from the smoking and by that time I was hooked and couldn't stop. As I grew older it got worse. Finally later in my years TarGard came out with the filters you had to clean and I tried them. And continued to use them even though it was a chore to keep on cleaning them.

The first time I smoked with a TarGard filter and saw all the tar from the cigarettes in the filter I vowed to keep on using them. It wasn't very long that my chronic bronchitis cleared up and it was then I knew how important the TarGard filter was.

I was ecstatic when the disposable amber filters came out. Now at age 73 I am pretty healthy and I attribute it to the TarGard filters. Many times I have tried to get others to try the filters. Many did but quit using them after a short time, I feel sorry for them.

For example, my own wife of 10 years smoked heavily and I tried desperately to get her to use the filters but to no avail. She developed COPD and then lung cancer and passed away a couple of years ago from the cancer. To this day, I believe if she used the filters she would still be with me but as you know you can't force anything on anyone. I am just happy I made the decision to keep using them.

My father, a doctor, used to smoke a carton a day and finally passed away from heart trouble but TarGard was not available at that time. Many people think the cost of using TarGard over the price of cigarettes is too much but what about the cost of health care?

My fondest wish is that everyone who smokes would use TarGard filters and maybe we would have fewer deaths from lung problems. I challenge all TarGard users to tell as many people who smoke to try the filters. I carry a full of tar filter to show people that I know who smoke.

All I can do at this time is to thank you for producing the filters. Like I said before, when you are out of TarGard, you are out of cigarettes.

William D.

WOW! William that was an amazing post! I think you captured how most of us feel about TarGard and how it affects our daily lives. Most of us may not be ready to quit smoking just yet, but at least TarGard offers us all a healthier smoking experience.

Thank you so very much for sharing your story with us!

If you would like to share how TarGard affects your life please e-mail me at khoxie@venturi-inc.com - I would love to post your stories!

Don't forget to vote for your favorite Hunter S. Thompson Look-Alike by clicking here - they need your votes!

I'll be back with a new post on December 4th - have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

To learn more about TarGard please visit us at www.targard.com.

Rock the Vote on TarGard!

Our Hunter S. Thompson Look-Alike Contest Participants need your votes!

Please vote now!

The Top 3 winners will win a FREE year's supply of their favorite cigarette filters so every vote counts.

To see all of the entry photos and place your vote click here!

Thanks to Gonzo fans everywhere for helping us celebrate Hunter S. Thompson.

Don't forget, all Permanent Filter items are 30% until November 30th.

To learn more about TarGard please visit us at www.targard.com!

A TarGard Loyal User Story For You

Since requesting that everyone send in their TarGard stories, I have had over 40 people response to share their stories with me! Keep them coming - I would love to hear why you started using TarGard, how people react when they see you using a filter, what you would like others to know about TarGard and anything else you would like to share with me.

Today's TarGard story comes from Patricia R. in Hawthorne, Nevada.

Patricia started using TarGard when she saw it in a store and decided to give it a try. She has been using the cigarette filters now for just over 20 years!

"I like the way it removes the tar, seeing is believing", she says. This is why she continues to use one when she smokes.

Patricia feels that one of the greatest benefits of the filters is that you have" no stained fingers or teeth".

In addition to being one of our most loyal users, Patricia owns her own thrift store. She also likes to read, is currently remodeling an older home and enjoys art so very much that she is a member of the board at a local art center.

Thanks again Patricia for sharing your TarGard story with me!

Patricia's favorite filter is the Amber Disposable Filter - what's yours? Don't forget to vote for your favorite filter at the poll on the right hand sidebar. So far the winner is the Permanent Filter System with 49% of the votes!

Don't forget to enter the Hunter Thompson Look-Alike Contest. There are only 4 more days to enter your picture. Click here to find out more details and to enter the contest.

You can see the photos we have received so far - check out the slideshow in the upper right hand corner1

TarGard is also offering 30% off of Hunter Thompson signature filters - the Permanent Filter System. Offer is good until November 31st!

To learn more about TarGard please visit us at www.targard.com.

Hunter S. Thompson Look-Alike Contest

Last week TarGard announced the launch of the Hunter S. Thomspon Look-Alike Contest and we promised we would post the photo entries right here on the blog, so check them out!

The slideshow is and will be posted in the upper right hand corner of the blog until the contest is over - keep checking back to see new entries!

Don't forget to vote for your favorite filter style in our poll on the right hand sidebar! So far 47% of our voters chose the Permanent Filter System, which just happens to be Hunter S. Thompson's signature cigarette filter!

If you would like to know more about the Hunter S. Thompson Look-Alike Contest or would like to enter for your chance to WIN a one year FREE supply of TarGard click here!

Celebrate Hunter S. Thompson with us!

Discounts and Contest!!!


Last week I told you a little about our most famous TarGard user, Hunter S. Thompson and this week in celebration of him we are offering a discount and a chance to WIN a year's supply of TarGard cigarette filters!


TarGard is offering 30% off all of the Permanent Filter items because it was Hunter's favorite cigarette filter and he was rarely seen without one at the end of his cigarette.










“For one thing, it is not a holder. It is a filter. A big difference. A filter clears a full ounce of scum and tar a day, keeps it from ruining my lungs. The first time I used it, I saw what came out of a filter and I never stopped.” (Hunter S. Thompson, 2003 interview with Adam Bulger)



We also have a Hunter S. Thompson Look-Alike Contest where you could WIN A YEAR'S SUPPLY OF TARGARD!! If you think you look like Hunter Thompson or could dress up to look like him just upload your photo for your chance to WIN!


We are giving away a Year's Supply Of Targard to our top 3 photo submissions which will be voted on by you beginning November 17th.


To enter the contest and see all official rules click here.

As soon as we begin getting photos I will start a gallery on the blog so you can check them all out. Then on November 17th I will post them all onto the contest website so you can vote on your favorites.


We hope you celebrate Hunter S. Thompson with us!


Check back soon to see the photos.


To learn more about TarGard cigarette filters please visit www.targard.com

Our Most Famous TarGard user!

Here at TarGard we are getting ready to launch a great promotion for our TarGard Permanent Filter System which includes discounts and a look-a-like contest! Our promotion is based on one of our most loyal customers whom also happens to be our most famouse TarGard user, Hunter S. Thompson.

(photo of Hunter S. Thompson)

For those of you who might not know who Hunter Thompson is, here is a quick run down. Hunter was and is still known for his work as an author. He wrote in a very unique style called Gonzo Journalism, which is a style of reporting in which the reporter becomes so involved in the action of the writing that they actually become central figures of their stories.

Hunter wrote novels as well as several newspaper and magazine articles. He was most well known for his novel titled "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" which was later turned into a movie starring Johnny Depp. Another one of his books, "Where the Buffalo Roam", was also adapted to the big screen and a third book titled "The Rum Diary" is currently in production with a scheduled release in 2009.

Besides being an author, Hunter Thompson, was also an avid photographer and political activist. He was rarely photographed without his signature glasses or his TarGard filter.

(Hunter's signature look)

Our filter, the Permanent Filter System, was actually featured in the movie Fear and Loathing.

(photo of Johnny Depp from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas)

While doing some research for our campaign, I found this great conversation between Hunter Thompson and Johnny Depp discussing our filters after the filming of Fear and Loathing! Here it is -

Depp appears and apologizes for being late. Thompson searches for cigarettes. He holds up his filter. "Are you actually using these?" he asks Depp.

"I'm weaning myself off," says Depp.

"I don't see how anybody could possibly smoke without them, when you see the scum that piles up in there," says Thompson. He demonstrates the entirely gross buildup of liquid tar that has gathered from eight or ten cigarettes. "Three packs since I woke up," says Thompson. "Look at it this way: That's four times this that is not in my lungs."

"Wouldn't it be amazing," says Depp of the plastic filter, "if that's the one thing that's kept you alive?"

(This conversation was part of an article written by Chris Heath titled "Johnny Depp's Savage Journey". The article was featured in Rolling Stone in 1998.)

If you are a loyal user like Hunter Thompson and would like to share your TarGard story or have any comments please leave a comment here or e-mail me at khoxie@venturi-inc.com.

Thanks for checking in!

Check back soon for details about our upcoming promotion - great discounts and a chance to win a FREE year's supply of TarGard!!

To learn more about TarGard please visit http://www.targard.com/.

To learn more about Hunter S. Thompson please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter_S._Thompson.

Speaking of TarGard History.....stories from people who have used TarGard for over 20 years!

As you already know, we love to talk about our cigarette filters, but what we love even more is to hear the stories that our loyal users share with us.

Today I am posting 3 stories from people who have each been using TarGard for over 20 years!

Our first story comes from Colette C. in Pueblo West, Colorado. Colette is 67 years young and is currently working full time as a professor. She has been a loyal customer of TarGard's for almost 25 years and has tried all four styles of cigarette filters we have, but enjoys the Amber Disposable filters most because "TarGard is the most comfortable and doesn't change the taste. In fact it enhances!"

Although her granddaughters, son and daughter-in-law would love to see Colette quit smoking, she vows to them that "As long as I do smoke, I'll keep using TarGard filters!"

Our second story is from Peggy G. who is almost 72 years old and has been using TarGard for 24 years! Peggy is from Ridgeway, Virginia who is musically gifted - she loves to sing and is a self taught autoharpist (no lessons!). She also is an avid song writer.

Peggy also loves her Amber Disposable cigarette filters because she feels that "TarGard is amazing with the amount of tar the filter takes out of a cigarette." She is also a great advocate for TarGard, she says "I tell everyone that smokes about TarGard and give them one to try. Thank you for making TarGard!"

Our third story is from Robert J. of Burlington, North Carolina. Robert is 56 years old and has been smoking with the Amber Disposable filters for just over 20 years. Robert shared with us why he started using the filters, "When I was employed in a no smoking environment, I over smoked, chain smoked. I started using the filters to lessen the side effects."

Robert wanted our readers to know that "The TarGard filter system is a great product for people who live active, but enjoys a clean smoke at the end of the day."

A huge thank you to Colette, Peggy and Robert for sharing their TarGard stories with us!

If you would like to share your story or have any questions you would like answered about TarGard please leave a comment or e-mail me at khoxie@venturi-inc.com.


Coming soon: Announcing Hunter Thompson Look-A-Like Contest and a chance to win a year's supply of TarGard filters!

To learn more about TarGard please visit www.targard.com

The Mysteries of TarGard Uncovered

At TarGard we are often asked questions like "Where is TarGard made?" or "How is TarGard made?" so today I am uncovering the mystery of the TarGard cigarette filter!

First, here's a few great facts about TarGard's history:

· TarGard was established in Burlingame, CA in 1963

· This year TarGard is 45 years old!

· The company has moved twice in it's history - once from CA to Grand Rapids, MI and then a second time from Grand Rapids to Traverse City, MI which is where we are currently located

· It is the only cigarette filter brand that offers 4 different styles of filters from disposable to reusable

· TarGard is the best selling cigarette filter system in the US drug store industry

- We have the best, most loyal customers!

Now on to the good stuff - A majority of TarGard parts and products are made in the United States and are actually assembled by right here in Traverse City by a company called Grand Traverse Industries (GTI)!

By assembled, I mean that the parts that make up our filters are shipped here to Traverse City and when they arrive Grand Traverse Industries takes those parts and puts them together. For example, they assemble the Permanent Filter System by joining the metal insert with the clear mouthpieces. They also run a machine that fuses the amber filters and white inserts together for the Disposable Amber Filters. And not only do they assemble all of the parts they also place them into their packaging and box them up in preparation for shipment.

This is the actual machine that fuses the amber filter mouthpieces to the white insert to make our most popular filter - the Disposable Amber Filters!


This is a container holding all of the filters made in one day which is about 15,000 filters!

Working with GTI is actually one of the best parts about working here at TarGard. To explain, GTI is not just another company that handles product assembly and packaging they have a very inspiring mission which is to provide employment, training support and services to persons with disabilities and/or other barriers to employment so that they may achieve their highest level of independence. GTI has a very inspirational mission and the most amazing staff of people! It is really an honor to work with them every day.



Here is Nancy, Don and Cindy from GTI hard at work putting the Disposable Amber Filters into packaging!


This is Mark, he operates the machine that seals the TarGard packaging together

That just about covers the history of TarGard and how they are made. Now I would love to hear about your history with TarGard! Do you remember the first time you bought TarGard? What made you try a cigarette filter? Please send me your stories - you can leave a comment or e-mail me at khoxie@venturi-inc.com.

Oh, and don't forget to vote for your favorite filter on the right hand sidebar!

Thanks for checking out the blog.

Kris, a TarGard Team Member and Loyal User

Coming up this week: Speaking of TarGard History.....stories from people who have used TarGard for over 20 years!

To learn more about GTI please visit them at www.grandtraverseindustries.com

To learn more about TarGard please visit www.targard.com

When I'm out of TarGard I am out of cigarettes!

Hello everyone!

Thanks to all of you who have written to me this past week to share your TarGard stories. I will try to post one new story every week.

This week I would love to share an e-mail I received from a long-time TarGard user. This is what Bill had to say:

Hi:

My name is William D. and I have been using TarGard for over 50 years. I started with the TarGard filters that you had to clean. In those days I played a lot of poker in the card clubs and used to pay the cleaning guy to take my full filter in the bathroom to clean it out.

I was ecstatic when you produced the disposable amber filters and have been using them ever since. When I am out of filters, one or two cigarettes without them made me mouth taste like I had been up all night drinking coffee and my mouth tasted like a rat was nesting in it. When I am out of TarGard I am out of cigarettes.

After 50 years of using TarGard I am still healthy, and am 72 years old. Anyone who smokes should use TarGard as long as they continue smoking.

Thank you TarGard and boy would I make a great spokes person.

Bill

Thanks again Bill for letting me share your thoughts with our blog readers! By the way you are a great spokes person and everyone at the TarGard office loves the line "When I am out of TarGard I am out of cigarettes." We feel the same way.

Bill loves the Disposable Amber Filters, but I want to know what filters are your favorite? Vote for your favorite filter at the poll I have posted on the right hand sidebar.

As always, if you have a great story like Bill's you would like to share with me you can either leave me a comment or e-mail me at khoxie@venturi-inc.com.

Talk to you soon!

Kris, a TarGard Team Member & Loyal User


Coming up soon: See how TarGard's are made

If you would like to learn more about TarGard filters please visit www.targard.com

Have I got a TarGard story for you!

We put out a challenge to some of our most loyal users to tell us their TarGard stories and today I'll be sharing Diane's story with you!

Diane is currently a nurse in Lake Forest, California. She has been smoking with TarGard for ten years!! She uses our Disposable Amber Filter because she can use one filter for about 8 or 9 cigarettes and then just throw it away.

Ten years ago,when Diane decided to start using a cigarette filter she tried Aquafilter, another brand of cigarette filters, but found that they didn't work well, but rather than going back to not using one at all she decided to try TarGard and hasn't stopped since!

We asked her what her favorite thing about using TarGard is and she said, "What I like most is the way the targuard filters help the flavor of the cigarette taste even better!"

Diane also wanted to let our readers know that one of the best benefits of these filters is that "Targuard protects your teeth from the tar staining them. Keeps them white."

A big thank you to Diane for taking the time to share her story with us, for being the first one and for helping to inform others about TarGard!

If you have a TarGard story you would like to share or even a funny story about the first time you used a filter or maybe even people's reaction when they see you using a filter, please share it! You can leave a comment here or e-mail me at khoxie@venturi-inc.com.

Thanks for checking in!

Kris, a TarGard Team Member & Loyal User

Coming next week: See how TarGard's are made

If you would like to learn more about TarGard please visit us at www.targard.com

Were you thinking about smoking without a TarGard cigarette filter?

Don't do it!

I'll tell you why you shouldn't smoke without one. Well, let me back up one minute and tell you what TarGard cigarette filters are just in case you don't know.

TarGard's are filters that are made to be placed onto the end of a cigarette to help block tar and other harmful substances from entering your body - all without even changing the taste of your cigarette!

Okay now, let's get back to why you shouldn't smoke without one of these cigarette holders!

1. You can literally SEE the tar, nicotine and other harmful materials that are trapped by the filter and not going into your lungs!
2. With all of the heavy tar getting trapped in the filter you teeth stay whiter, your smile brighter and your breath fresher.
3. You'll be able to breathe easier. Believe me - it really makes a difference!

It's time to get the word out, if you wouldn't smoke without your TarGard filters leave me a comment or e-mail me at khoxie@venturi-inc.com and tell me why!

I would love to share your TarGard story.

Thanks for checking in with TarGard.

Kris, a TarGard Team Member & Loyal User

Coming soon: Diane shares her TarGard story

If you would like to learn more about our cigarette filters please visit us at www.targard.com.