Didn't they ban their mascot or something?

You mean Joe Camel? Yes, they did.

There was a controversy going on with the character that despite targeting adults, kids during the early 90s knew who Joe Camel was, and they can easily recognize him the same way they'd recognize Mickey Mouse. It was also said that most underage smokers used Camel cigarettes, and the American Medical Association felt that Joe Camel was a bad influence towards the younger age group.

The courts have been trying to get Joe Camel banned, but R.J. Reynolds refused to stop the campaign. Eventually, after the pressure from the courts and other public interest groups go to him, then Joe Camel was officially gone in 1997. He is replaced with a more generic looking camel instead.

This makes sense. No need for a cool looking animated camel to show kids it's cool to smoke.

I remember when Camel matchbooks everywhere. All over the ground, especially in the big city. There were like 1500 different pictures of Joe Camel doing various things. Playing pool, standing by a motorcycle, having a cocktail, on a luxury cruise, etc. Lots of different colors. I was 12 or 14 years old and I collected the hell out of those matchbooks.