Nothing says Happy Mother’s Day like a carton of cigarettes from your child, right?
Advertisers and tobacco companies used art deco artwork, glamorous women, politicians, children, animals, movie stars and even babies to promote their brands.
*DISCLAIMER: I quit smoking 30 years ago. It was tough to do and a point of pride to this day. This post is meant only as a look at how culture can drastically change in our own lifetimes.
Pre-1950’s, seemingly everyone smoked, including doctors. You could smoke on an airplane, in a movie theatre and in a hospital. I would call this decade the Golden days of print ads for cigarettes. By the 1960’s there was a conversation starting about cigarette smoking being unhealthy. A warning about the hazards of smoking was added to each pack. By 1971, ads for cigarettes were no longer allowed on TV or radio. (So much for a Flintstones cartoon where Fred and Barney are smoking!)
Too tired to hold your own cigarette? How about this clever item?
There was even a time when there were rewards for buying cigarettes. The last of these was the coupon attached to every pack of Raleigh cigarettes. Look at the fabulous things you could buy from their catalog, just for smoking!
This 1964 KOOL Presidential Election Guide produced by an advertising agency for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company offered information on the election process and the two candidates: incumbent Democratic president, Lyndon B. Johnson, and the Republican contender, Barry Goldwater.
OK. This is just flat out disturbing. “Smoke Camels for 30 days” . I am sure that is enough to get addicted. The worst was giving free cigarette to soldiers…. I am glad you don’t have to have an Rx for nicotine patches. We’ve “come a long way, baby”
Great post, Jeri. Yes, it was pretty creepy how the ads continued to make smoking socially acceptable. I remember my doctor smoking. In 1968, my girlfriend’s parents gave her a solid gold lighter for her sweet sixteen gift!! I started smoking when i was 14, 1966. I finally quit for good in 2002 after a couple of four or five year abstentions. Whew! Have a great day, Raven
I remember my former father in law, a pharmacist, filling prescriptions while smoking.
Also, I used to collect Marlboro “stamps” and get really cool stuff. My husband smoked them and then I would pick up packs when I walked and found them. Another thing we haven’t stopped – litter.