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16 outrageous tobacco ads that would be illegal today

http://uk.businessinsider.com/vintage-tobacco-adverts-that-would-be-illegal-today-2016-6

Everyone knows by now that smoking isn’t good for your health. The cigarette was even called “the deadliest artefact in the history of human civilisation” by Stanford University researchers.

But thanks in part to ingenious marketing campaigns throughout the 1900s, 10 million cigarettes were being sold every minute around the world by the year 2000, according to the World Health Organization.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Stanford School of Medicine’s “Research into the Impact of Tobacco Advertising.”

Over the years, the project has published more than 16,000 vintage tobacco ads.

Most of them would be completely illegal in many countries today — including Britain, where all tobacco advertising is outlawed.

Until direct links were found between smoking and poor health in the 1960s, cigarettes were marketed as a remedy for a number of ailments, including sore throats and asthma. Even dentists recommended them.

Until direct links were found between smoking and poor health in the 1960s, cigarettes were marketed as a remedy for a number of ailments, including sore throats and asthma. Even dentists recommended them.

The tobacco industry put people's faith in science to the test. They claimed that their products caused no adverse side-effects​, with the apparent backing of "medical specialists."

The tobacco industry put people’s faith in science to the test. They claimed that their products caused no adverse side-effects​, with the apparent backing of “medical specialists.”

this-advert-claimed-to-prevent-throat-irritation-and-coughing

This advert claimed to prevent “throat irritation and coughing.”

It was considered uncouth for a woman to smoke at the turn of the 20th century, but as the Prohibition era came to an end, tobacco companies aggressively targeted the untapped female market.

It was considered uncouth for a woman to smoke at the turn of the 20th century, but as the Prohibition era came to an end, tobacco companies aggressively targeted the untapped female market.

Some of them were outrageously sexist.

Some of them were outrageously sexist.

This one claimed passive smoking was a way of getting women to follow you.

This one claimed passive smoking was a way of getting women to follow you.

However, like any business should know, they had to move with the times, and just decades later, they were latching onto the feminist movement as well.

However, like any business should know, they had to move with the times, and just decades later, they were latching onto the feminist movement as well.

As World War II came to an end, the tobacco industry ventured into new markets to keep profits up during a time of austerity — the African American market became one of the most important demographics.

As World War II came to an end, the tobacco industry ventured into new markets to keep profits up during a time of austerity — the African American market became one of the most important demographics.

Children were also regularly used in advertising. Stanford researchers suggest that this was an effective way of reinforcing the idea that smoking is part of regular family life.

Children were also regularly used in advertising. Stanford researchers suggest that this was an effective way of reinforcing the idea that smoking is part of regular family life.

This ad campaign showed small children admiring their parents' choice of cigarettes. The use of children was part of the industry's master plan​ to rope in more female consumers.

This ad campaign showed small children admiring their parents’ choice of cigarettes. The use of children was part of the industry’s master plan​ to rope in more female consumers.

No child was too young for the tobacco marketers.

No child was too young for the tobacco marketers.

Celebrity endorsements have always been a winning tactic. If Lucille Ball smokes, it must be cool.

Celebrity endorsements have always been a winning tactic. If Lucille Ball smokes, it must be cool.

From as early as the 1930s, smoking was advertised as a dieting technique, encouraging people to "reach for a Lucky" instead of a sweet.

From as early as the 1930s, smoking was advertised as a dieting technique, encouraging people to “reach for a Lucky” instead of a sweet.

Advertisers really bucked the weight-loss trend in the 1970s. This was perhaps one of the few medical claims that had an element of truth to it.

Advertisers really bucked the weight-loss trend in the 1970s. This was perhaps one of the few medical claims that had an element of truth to it.

Impressionable teens were a popular target market. According to the Stanford research, these ads presented smokers as "young, attractive, vibrant, athletic, happy, and full of vitality. Without claiming health benefits outright, Lucky Strike portrayed its brand as healthy and enticing through these campaigns."

Impressionable teens were a popular target market. According to the Stanford research, these ads presented smokers as “young, attractive, vibrant, athletic, happy, and full of vitality. Without claiming health benefits outright, Lucky Strike portrayed its brand as healthy and enticing through these campaigns.”

Sometimes cigarettes were simply marketed as a quick pick-me-up.

Sometimes cigarettes were simply marketed as a quick pick-me-up.

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