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Big Tobacco in the Big Apple

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

In Transit

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The Ubiquitous Advertising of Tobacco Products on New York City’s Transit System (0:14)

Throughout the 20th century, cigarettes were not only among the leading products advertised on billboards throughout the city, but also on city-licensed busses and buss shelters, taxicabs, subway entrances, station platforms, and cars.

Bus shelter Kent Golden Lights

Kent Golden Lights ad on a New York City bus shelter
The New York Times
February 1, 1978

Subway station Virginia Slims ad: “You’ve come a long way, baby.”

Photograph by Alan Blum, MD, of Leon Blum beside Virginia Slims ad on sign in a New York City subway station
1985

Subway car Ritz ad: “The new cigarette by Yves Saint Laurent”

Photograph by Alan Blum, MD, of Leon Blum in a New Yark City subway car
1985

Child playing by cigarette ad at LaGuardia Airport, (0:21)

Video
Alan Blum, MD
1995

New York City street scene (0:33)

Camel advertisement above a subway station entrance; taxi with Marlboro advertisement,
1995

LaGuardia Airport cigarette ads and no-smoking sign, 1995 (0:25)

Video
Alan Blum, MD
1995

NYC taxicab with Virginia Slims ad on sign: “It’s a woman thing.”

Photograph by Alan Blum, MD
1996

New York City taxicab with Marlboro ad on sign

Photograph by Alan Blum, MD
1985

NYC taxicab with Marlboro ad on sign: “Marlboro Country”

Photograph by Alan Blum, MD
1995

NYC taxicab with Virginia Slims ad on sign [1 of 2]

Photograph by Alan Blum, MD
1996

NYC taxicab with Virginia Slims ad on sign [2 of 2]

Photograph by Alan Blum, MD
1996

Subway entrance sign with Winston ad: “Real people want real taste.”

Photograph by Alan Blum, MD, of an entrance to 42nd Street subway station, New York City
1988

Moving billboard with Magna ad: “New York Has MAGNA TUDE.”

Photograph by Alan Blum, MD, of a moving billboard in New York City
1988

Parking garage entrance sign: “You’ve got Merit”

Photograph by Alan Blum, MD, of a New York City parking garage
1995

Parking garage entrance sign: “Marlboro”

Photograph by Alan Blum, MD, of a New York City parking garage
1995

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