Giving roses, chocolate. and a card to your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day is a cherished tradition. Some tobacco companies thought a carton of cigarettes might be nice, too. Just don’t forget the smoker’s breath spray, teeth-whitener, odor remover…and a chest X-ray.
“Aim for the Best”
Advertisement by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company for Chesterfield cigarettes
The Saturday Evening Post
February 1941
(Also in LOOK Magazine
February 25, 1941)
“A Pocketful of Pleasure
Miss America
CHESTERFIELD’S VALENTINE GIRL
Patricia Donnelly of Detroit”
Advertisement by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company for Chesterfield cigarettes
LIFE Magazine
1940
“Nothing else will do –“
Advertisement by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company for Chesterfield cigarettes
The Saturday Evening Post
February 4, 1939
(Also in Ladies’ Home Journal
March 1939)
“After a man’s heart…
When smokers find out the good things Chesterfield gives them
Nothing else will do!”
Advertisement by Liggett & Meyers Tobacco Company
LIFE Magazine
1937
“Smokers know…
Chesterfields Satisfy…
Valentine greetings from ELLEN DREW
Starring in the current Paramount motion picture, “THE MAD DOCTOR”…and from CHESTERFIELD, the Milder, Cooler, Better-Tasting cigarette.””
Newspaper advertisement by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company for Chesterfield cigarettes
1941
“Oh, you darling!
Put your Valentine sentiments in writing —
engraved on a famous ZIPPO lighter…
ZIPPO WINDPROOF LIGHTER
The Gift That Never Fails“
Magazine advertisement by Zippo Lighters
1951
Smoker’s toothpaste, mouthwash, and odor remover…
“The GIRLS FROM CADIZ Spain
Smoker many cigarettes — but their Teeth are Gleaming White …
What is the Secret?
Advertisement by Gilmont Products Corporation, New York, for New Mix toothpaste
Liberty Magazine
December 7, 1929
“THEIR full time fresh fruit diet, to be sure! The same thing that means sparkling teeth to the beauties from the Islands of the South Seas. Science has long known this — but you couldn’t put this same fruit-whitener into a tooth paste because it combined with the other things that have to be in tooth paste, lost its strength, became diluted, practically useless. The teroy was right, but it wouldn’t work, Then came the discovery!
“Put the fruit whitener in a separate inner tube, so it comes out fresh, full strength to whiten teeth like a flash!…”
“Too Many Cigars Last Night?
PEBECO TOOTH PASTE
Counteracts ‘Acid-Mouth'”
Advertisement by Lehn & Fink, Inc., New York, for PEBECO tooth paste
The Saturday Evening Post
May 1920
“MANY smokers swear by the keen, refreshing flavor and mouth-stimulating qualities of Pebeco Tooth Paste. A thorough brushing with Pebeco morning and night seems to sweeten the breath and to impart a clean, cool feeling to the irritated gum and parched mouth.
“In addition to its attractive flavor, Pebeco has exceptional tooth-whitening and polishing properties. And it tends to counteract ‘Acid-Mouth,’ which is believed to be the chief cause of all tooth decay…”
“Free Cigarettes
With Every Tube of BOST
Beginning Today…
For a Limited Time Only”
Advertisement by BOST, Inc., New York
The New York Times
1930
“Throughout the metropolitan district, all those leading druggists and department store stores who are co-operating with us will present you with a full pack of your favorite Cigarettes — any 15-cent brand — FREE with your purchase of a tube of BOST Tooth Paste at the usual price.
“THIS is the latest news from ‘The Smoker’s Friend’ — the modernist tooth paste which sums up all the progress made in tooth creams in the past twenty years and adds to the sum total the very necessary quality of being able to remove tobacco stain from the teeth and keep it away!
“It is BOST’S 1930 salutation to every smoker in the New York metropolitan community — which of course includes the residential suburbs — an introductory offer only, so that every smoker may have a special opportunity to try it.
“Buy a tube of this Aristocrat of Tooth Pastes now — you will do it later anyhow, so why not now? — and your dealer will give you a full size pack of your favorite cigarettes, any 15-cent brand he has in stock.
“Yes — Camels, Chesterfields, Luckies, Old Golds, or any other brand your dealer sells at the same price…
“Remember, BOST performs all the duties of the most modern oral hygiene — performs all the beneficial offices of the old-style pastes in a superior way, and does this one great additional thing for the smoker. Removes, harmlessly, tobacco and all organic stains, without injurious grit or acid. Sweetens the mouth and leaves a lingering fragrance of breath. A delicious, mellow, bouquet flavor.
“As proof, ready at hand, it removes cigarette or cigar stain from a handkerchief. Try it.
“Have a smoke on us.”
“The Smoker’s Friend
BOST TOOTH PASTE
New and Original Discovery of
Wm. Dale Bost, P.D.,Ph.C.”
Magazine advertisement by BOST, Inc., New York
November 1, 1931
“HERE is a tooth paste made specifically for the smoker and proud so to announce itself – the final blend of enjoyment for the millions of men and women deriving daily pleasure from their cigars and cigarettes. In originating it, Dr. Bost was alert to the fact that he was dealing with the world’s greatest army of epicures, experts in taste and sticklers for refinement.
“A TUBE of Bost Tooth Paste on the bath-room shelf is an invitation – like the shadow of climbing roses on the morning curtains –brings a vision of what a glorious day can produce.
“No more like the tooth pastes of the day that has gone than your cigarette is like an old cob pipe.
“Made primarily for smokers. Because people do smoke – an original modernist prescription of a chemist who knows every secret and every pretense of the dental cream world.
“With mild, harmless ingredients, innocent as milk or fruit juices – removes tobacco stain, cleans the mouth healthfully, and leaves a lingering sweetness of breath – clear respiration which stimulates one for the duties and pleasures of the day.
“And a bouquet that is very individual.”
“RID YOUR HOME OR OFFICE OF
‘SMOKATOSIS!’
Advertisement by Nagel-Chase Manufacturing Company, Chicago, for Ash-Away metal butt and ash disposal containers
TIME Magazine
July 11, 1938
“Smoldering butts, burnt matches and ashes cause awful smoke odors we call ‘Smokatosis.’ An Ash-Away metal smoker keeps homes or offices free of this nuisance, Yu juyst press a button — all butts and ashes disappear. Homes smell sweeter, stay cleaner.”
“SMOKERS LOVE TARGON!
SMOKERS’ MOUTHWASH
*Removes Tobacco Tar from Teeth
*Whitens Teeth *Great Taste
*Leaves Breath Clean & Fresh”
Advertisement and discount coupon in Sunday newspaper advertising insert by Block Drug Company for Targon Smokers’ Mouthwash
January 2000
“FOR THE GIRL WHO IS ON HER OWN,
AND LIKELY TO STAY THAT WAY…
Ashtré HAIRSPRAY
Kiss a non-smoker and taste the difference”
Satirical advertisement in Be all you can be, a health promotion magazine for women
Scottish Health Education Group
Edinburgh, Scotland
Circa 1990
Smokers anti-stain formula ANTIBACTERIAL MOUTHWASH, CIGARGLE, Disaar Smokers’ Toothpaste, TARGON SMOKERS’ MOUTHWASH, Smoke BLASTER (“INSTANTLY REMOVES CIGARETTE SMOKE FROM HANDS, HAIR, & CLOTHING), POLIDENT Smokers Antibacterial Denture Cleanser, HENRY CLAY SMOKER’S MINT ESPECIAL, Chronic WIPEOUT Smoke Odor Eliminating Spray (Powerful to Eliminate SMOKE ODOR — Non-Toxic — Safe on Skin, Haire, and Clothes), Wisdom Smokers anti-stain formula mouthwash, TARGON: The Smoker’s Mouthwash, Pearl drops smoker’s MOUTHWASH FOR CLEAN FRESH BREATH, The STINK Solution SMOKER (Instantly eliminates all smoke odor), Smoker’s Mist smoke odor remover.
A St. Valentine Pipe Dream…
“TO MY VALENTINE
LIGHT OF MY LIFE —
DO I SATISFY?
Valentine’s Day card
1940s
“YOU AND I ARE A GOOD ‘MATCH’
VALENTINE!“
Valentine’s Day card
1956
“A loving Valentine for my…
HUSBAND” (2 pages)
Valentine’s Day card
1941
“A Valentine for my
DIZZY BROTHER!” (3 pages)
Valentine’s Day card
1940s
“I’LL STRIKE IT LUCKY
IF YOU’LL BE MY VALENTINE!”
Valentine’s Day card
Circa 1938
“PLEASE DON’T ‘BAIT’ ME
Valentine!
“TO ‘LAND; ME —
YOU WON’T NEED
A HOOK, LINE OR SINKER —
ALLI WANT IS AFFECTION —
START USIN’ YOUR THINKER!”
Valentine’s Day card
Circa 1940s
“I’d walk many a mile for you, baby!”
Valentine Day’s card
1932
“What a LUCKY STRIKE you made
When you got me“
Valentine’s Day card
1934
“YOU AIN’T SO MILD LITTLE GIRL BUT YOU
CERTAINLY SATISFY!”
Valentine’s Day card
1933
“YOUR HEART
Was it a pipe dream?“
Postcard
Circa 1900
“A ST. VALENTINE PIPE DREAM”
Postcard
Circa 1900
“To My Valentine
THIS IS NO PIPE DREAM”
Postcard
Circa 1900
“To My Valentine
Two Hearts that Beat… as one“
Postcard
Circa 1900
Valentine Day’s card
Circa 1900
“Tell someone you love
About Lark’s Gas-Trap filter.
Be My Valentine“
Advertisement by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company for Lark cigarettes
LIFE Magazine
February 13, 1970
“It’s a little thing. But it does show that you care.
“Just as we care enough to make a filter that makes a difference you can actually taste…”
My Smelly Valentine
“‘I promise I’ll be your Valentine…
After I finish my Saratoga.'”
Magazine advertisement by Philip Morris Inc for Saratoga 120’s cigarettes
1984
Curated by Alan Blum, MD
Professor and Endowed Chair in Family Medicine
Director, Center for the Study of Tobacco and Society
College of Community Health Sciences
The University of Alabama School of Medicine, Tuscaloosa
Designed by Bryce Callahan
Undergraduate student majoring in computer engineering
Center for the Study of Tobacco and Society
College of Community Health Sciences
The University of Alabama School of Medicine, Tuscaloosa
ALL ITEMS IN THE EXHIBITION ARE FROM THE CENTER’S COLLECTION UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED.