Health Claims in Cigarette Advertising in the Mass Media

The Unfiltered Truth About Smoking and Health

In addition to the presence of cigarette advertisements in medical journals, ads featuring doctors, nurses, and health claims appeared in the lay press from the 1920s through the 1960s.

“Don’t remove the moisture-proof wrapping from your package of Camels after you open it. The Humidor Pack is protection against dust and germs…”

Second half of 2-page advertisement by the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (“Give your throat a vacation…Smoke a FRESH cigarette”)
Collier’s, the National Weekly
November 14, 1931

“‘You like them FRESH? So do I!’”

Advertisement by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company for Camel cigarettes
The Saturday Evening Post
February 6, 1932

“20,679 Physicians say…’LUCKIES are less irritating  ‘It’s toasted’ Your Throat Protection against irritation, against cough”

Advertisement by the American Tobacco Company
Liberty Magazine
July 5, 1930

“AVOID THAT FUTURE SHADOW by refraining from over-indulgence…When Tempted Reach for a LUCKY instead”

Advertisement by the American Tobacco Company
World’s Work
June 1930

“For Digestion’s Sake—Smoke Camels”

Advertisement by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
TIME Magazine
July 6, 1936

“…TELL HIM TO SWITCH TO KOOLS and he’ll be all right

Advertisement by the Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company
The Saturday Evening Post
October 23, 1937

“Light an OLD GOLD instead of a throat treatment!”

Magazine advertisement by P. Lorillard Tobacco Company
Circa 1950

“No heap big medicine talk…”

Magazine advertisement by P. Lorillard Tobacco Company for Old Gold cigarettes
1951

“SCIENCE DISCOVERED IT—YOU CAN PROVE IT”

Advertisement by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company
LIFE Magazine
September 17, 1951