Cigarette Promotion at Medical Conventions

The Unfiltered Truth About Smoking and Health

By 1942, the major cigarette manufacturers, including R. J. Reynolds, P. Lorillard, Brown & Williamson, and Philip Morris, were exhibitors at major medical meetings, notably the annual convention of the American Medical Association (AMA).
Cigarette companies were sponsors of most state medical society annual meetings until well into the 1960s. Physicians attending the annual convention of the Kentucky Medical Association were given cartons of camel Cigarettes until the mid-1980s.

1959 Kent National Medical Association Detroit sized Green Box Photo

KENT cigarette pack, booklet, and personally embossed case

Promotional items given to doctors by the P. Lorillard Tobacco Company at the annual meeting of the National Medical Association in Detroit, Michigan
1959

1953 06 20 Tobacco Leaf Parliament Booth at AMA Convention

“Parliament cigarettes were represented”

Photographic image of the Parliament cigarettes booth at the annual American Medical Association convention held in New York City. The brand was manufactured by Benson & Hedges, which was acquired by Philip Morris in 1958.
The Tobacco Leaf, page 11
June 20, 1953

1953 12 26 Tobacco Leaf Parliament Booth at AMA Clinical Session

“Norman H. Grulich and Alan H. Bick, from the New York office, represented Benson & Hedges”

Photographic image of the Parliament cigarettes booth (Benson & Hedges) at the American Medical Association clinical session held in St. Louis
The Tobacco Leaf
December 26, 1953

“Camel invites you”

Advertisement by RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company for the Camel cigarettes exhibit at the annual
American Medical Association convention
New York State Journal of Medicine, vol. 42, no. 11,
front cover and page 1027
June 1, 1942

“A.M.A. Technical Exhibits”

Pocket map of the exhibitor booths at the AMA annual convention held in Chicago, with RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company (Camel cigarettes) and Philip Morris & Company (Philip Morris cigarettes) as two of the exhibitors
June 21-25, 1948

“Dr. Kool”

Statuette of penguin mascot for Kool cigarettes, known as “Willie” and often portrayed as a doctor
Promotional item given to doctors at medical conferences by Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company
Circa 1940s

Cigarette Promotion at Medical Conventions

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