Smoking On The Airwaves

I received a lot of feedback from a recent blog featuring a video with the Flintstones doing an animated TV commercial for Winston cigarettes. Watching Fred and Barney light one up is both funny and pathetic at the same time—and our reason for astonishment at what USED to be on TV and radio is related (I think) to their length of their absence.

Since 1971, American consumers have not been exposed to tobacco advertising on broadcast media. While I could make a free speech case for singling out TV and radio for a ban while allowing print, newspapers and magazines, etc, I won’t.

It’s because I am keenly aware of the fact that the electronic media is pervasive and persuasive, especially among young people. I don’t have the stats on whether this nearly 40 year ban on advertising has had much effect, but that’s the subject of another blog.
The tobacco companies are evil, their products deadly and their political influence still way too strong. Not too many advocates will come out and stand up for Philip Morris and other companies who peddle death and addiction to their customer base.

What’s funny is seeing the old commercials—knowing what we know now. Ignorance may have been bliss for a nation puffing away, never under the illusion that smoking WASN’T bad for your health, but in the absence of evidence to the contrary, the nicotine made up our minds for us.

Then again, advertising for cigarettes when the angle is “which brand would your DOCTOR choose” is a bit over the top—check out this old ad:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCMzjJjuxQI&NR=1



Or, how about this Pall Mall commercial stating that “fine tobacco is its own best filter”?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr4duBBcCpA&feature=related


There’s also this Lucky Strikes ad promoting “no loose ends” to get in your mouth!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js4wHFIHcS4&feature=related


I’m an ex-smoker—and I still miss the relaxation a cigarette or cigar supplies, especially after eating. It’s been years, but I still tell myself that I’m just one cigarette away from being sucked back into that vortex.

Even still, I am blown away by the crazy claims made by tobacco companies “back in the day” to sell their poison. Did people really BELIEVE all that malarkey? And, what products, foods or drugs are out there TODAY which we believe to be perfectly safe—but aren’t?

Will we be laughing and shaking our heads at TODAY’S commercials 30 or 40 years from now?

If we’re still around, that is…

If you’d like my blog in your box, just e-mail me (it’s free!) tim.moore@citcomm.com