Big Tobacco in the Big Apple

How New York City Became the Heart of the Tobacco Industry
…and Anti Smoking Activism

Tony Schwartz

Pioneering Anti-Smoking Commercials (1:58)


BTBA NYC

“It was his smoking that took his music away from us”

Audio clip of Tony Schwartz smoking counter-advertisement concerning composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein’s death
Circa 1990

“To the members of the Health Committee of the New York City Council”

Audio clip of Tony Schwartz smoking counter-advertisement concerning smoking legislation
Circa 1986

“What do the following names have in common?”

Audio clip of Tony Schwartz smoking counter-advertisement concerning smoking legislation
Circa 1986

“My name is Ken McFeely. Right now I’m living under a death sentence.”

Audio clip of Tony Schwartz smoking counter-advertisement featuring NYPD officer
Circa 1986

“[A] politician is supposed to be a lot of different things, but, most of all, a politician is supposed to be a leader.”

Audio clip of Tony Schwartz smoking counter-advertisement concerning New York City Councilman Peter Vallone
Circa 1988

“[A]t St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, two of our busiest departments are the surgical department and the psychiatric department”

Audio clip of Tony Schwartz smoking counter-advertisement sponsored by St. John’s Episcopal Hospital
Circa 1986

“It was really too late”

Audio clip of Tony Schwartz smoking counter-advertisement featuring testimonial
Circa 1986

“We asked young people what recess means”

Audio clip of Tony Schwartz smoking counter-advertisement criticizing cigarette advertising language
Circa 1986

“Who says you can’t fight City Hall, or Congress, or your State Legislature, or corporations?”

Audio clip of Mayor Ed Koch introducing “Guerilla Media” program
1986

“They are selling death”

Audio clip of Tony Schwartz smoking counter-advertisement using audio clips of Mayor Ed Koch
1985

“Children love to imitate their parents. Children learn by imitating their parents. Do you smoke cigarettes?”

Video clip of first smoking counter-advertisement on television
1963

“My best friend was killed by cigarettes”, Circa 1988 (7:14)

Video clip of Tony Schwartz recounting his involvement in the anti-smoking movement
Circa 1988

Tony Schwartz on political advertising and morality

Video clip of interview with Schwartz
1986

“Don’t Straighten Up My Mess, You’ll Foul Up the System”

Photograph of Tony Schwartz in his studio by Alan Blum, MD
Circa 1990

Tony Schwartz and Dr. Alan Blum

Photograph
Circa 1990

“They are selling death”

Transcript of smoking counter-advertisement using audio clips of Mayor Ed Koch
November 1985

“Media Wizard ‘Makes Waves’ on the Air”

Article
DOC News and Views
1989

“A Legend Turns to Selling Social Change”

Photographic image from article about Tony Schwartz
The New York Times, page D10
1990

“AIDS vs cigarets?”

Daily News, page 11
November 14, 1985

Explore Anti-Smoking Efforts with the Links Below

Or use the navigation bar to visit other sections of the Exhibition

BTBA NYC
 
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Cigarettes Peril Health  crop
1989 DOC Newsletter Tony Schwartz  p1
Koch Pushes Smoking Ban
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Smoke free Poster contest book
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