CSTS NYC MTA Logo

Big Tobacco in the Big Apple

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

Sports Sponsorship by Tobacco Companies

BTBA NYC

Tobacco in the Ring and on the Court, the Diamond, and the Gridiron (2:13)

Brooklyn Nationals

Fatima cigarettes trading card

1913

New York Nationals

Fatima cigarettes trading card

1913

New York Americans

Fatima cigarettes trading card

1913

“‘I like Luckies. They are mild and mellow.’ –Tony Lazzeri, Star Infielder, New York Yankees”

Advertisement for American Tobacco Company’s Lucky Strike cigarettes

1928

Red Murray, New York Nationals

“T206” trading card
American Tobacco Company’s Piedmont cigarettes

1909-1911

“‘They Don’t Get Your Wind’ Athletes [like Lou Gherig, New York Yankees star] Say”

Advertisement for RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company’s Camel cigarettes
TIME Magazine

1935

“Happy Felton’s Knothole Gang” (0:25)

Video excerpt of kinescope showing the right field billboard in Ebbetts Field, stadium of the Brooklyn Dodgers, advertising American Tobacco Company’s Lucky Strike cigarettes and featuring Jackie Robinson

June 26, 1956

“Happy Felton’s Knothole Gang” [2] (26:07)

Video of kinescope of the entire program

June 26, 1956

Play-by-play broadcast from Ebbetts Field of the eighth and ninth innings of a no-hitter by Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Sal Maglie, featuring two Lucky Strike cigarettes commercials read by Vin Scully (20:44)

“‘Now! Medical Science Offers PROOF POSITIVE!” –says Babe Ruth”

Newspaper advertisement for Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company’s Raleigh cigarettes

1946

“‘The Winner’ — Joe Louis”

Souvenir card given out by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company with endorsement of Chesterfield cigarettes by world heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis

1948

“A Hit!”

Colorized photograph
Centerfield billboard at the Polo Grounds, stadium of the New York Giants, advertising Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company’s Chesterfield cigarettes

Early-1950s

“‘Chesterfields are milder–much milder. It’s MY cigarette’–Joe DiMaggio”

Advertisement for Liggett & Meyers Tobacco Company’s Chesterfield cigarettes
The Sporting News

October 26, 1948

“‘Take my tip–smoke Chesterfield…much milder’–Jackie Robinson”

Advertisement for Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company’s Chesterfield cigarettes
The Sporting News

January 4, 1950

“Joe DiMaggio’s Mighty Swing”

Advertisement for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company’s Camel cigarettes
LIFE Magazine

1942

“Yessir! the Ol’ Redhead has changed to Camels” 

Advertisement for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company’s Camel cigarettes with endorsement by New York Yankees play-by-play announcer Red Barber
LIFE Magazine

1954

“‘For rich flavor, my choice is Camels’ –Dick Nolan, Defense backfield star of the New York Giants”

Advertisement for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company’s Camel cigarettes
LIFE Magazine

1960

“Don Larsen relives the day he made baseball history”

Advertisement for RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company’s Camel cigarettes with endorsement by New York Yankees pitcher Don Larsen
LIFE Magazine

1957

“‘My steady chew for years’ –Johnny Mize”

Advertisement for Red Man chewing tobacco with endorsement by New York Yankees first baseman Johnny Mize

Circa 1953

“N.Y. Yankee Star Elston Howard Smokes Kool. ‘I like that clean taste and smooth feeling in my throat'”

Advertisement for Brown & Williamson’s Kool cigarettes
Ebony Magazine

1960

“Take a tip from Sam Huff”

Advertisement for Philip Morris’s Marlboro cigarettes, with endorsement by New York Giants football star Sam Huff

1957

“You said it, Dad!”

Advertisement for Bayuk Cigars, Inc.’s Phillies cigars

1964

“Mickey Mantle Baseball Special Rawlings Glove””

Advertisement for Bayuk Cigars, Inc.’s Phillies cigars

1964

“‘I’m Jim ‘Catfish’ Hunter. I’ve been chewing Red Man for over 12 years.'”

Advertisement for Redman chewing tobacco, with endorsement by Major League Baseball pitcher Catfish Hunter

1970s

“New Idea in Filters”

Back cover advertisement for Philip Morris Multifilter cigarettes
Sports Illustrated

December 7, 1964

“Benson & Hedges 100s…and I can’t boil water either…that’s the breaks”

Back cover advertisement for Philip Morris’ Benson & Hedges cigarettes
Sports Illustrated

July 4, 1977

“Alive with pleasure! Newport”

Advertisement for Loews’ Newport cigarettes
Sports Illustrated

April 4, 1983

“Virginia Slims Championships”

Interior sign in Madison Square Garden with advertisement for Philip Morris’s Virginia Slims cigarettes-sponsored woman’s tennis tournament

1991

“Virginia Slims Championships of New York”

Retail store sign for Philip Morris’s Virginia Slims cigarettes women’s tennis championships at Madison Square Garden

1990s

“Virginia Slims Tennis 1992”

Advertisement for Philip Morris’s Virginia Slims cigarettes-sponsored women’s tennis tournament
Inside Women’s Tennis

April, 1992

“The One Million Dollar Virginia Slims Championships”

Promotional flyer for Philip Morris’ Virginia Slims cigarettes-sponsored women’s tennis championships at Madison Square Garden

1990s

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