Curative smoke

Tobacco smoking and war are a marriage made in heaven.

This ad announces that smoking is at an all time high -which seems very likely in the war-time economy of 1943.

But the red text with the wording "And you are safer smoking..." is totally misleading. Major weasel-wording here. Even with the disclaimer at the bottom, the casual reader thinks this is actually good for you.

"Smoking more", 1943
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Operator number 38

This is one hard little devil of a mad ad. Have a look.

"Follow this man", 1931
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What does it actually sell?

Not a life of glamour as a James Bond apprentice in the 1930's. Not at all. That's what the weasel words in the ad make you believe.

It sells a "finger print operator methodology" or some other similar learn-by-mail scam. You pay for the informative report and then it's all downhill payments from there.

Not a single one

You gotta love those people in the tobacco advertising industry. The claims on behalf of their products are almost legendary.

Take this one for instance. Not a single case of throat irritation. No sir. Not one. The specialists could not find *one single case* among all the people they examined.

Which, according to the ad, was in the order of 2470 weekly throat examinations. Wow.

How many doctors did they have on payroll?

"Not a single case", 1949
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Spring is in the air

Another lovely anachronism from the golden era of tobacco advertisement.


A refreshing air-conditioned cigarette. And all the weasel-words are there, along with the self-aggrandising and dubious claims, and the empty comparisons.

"Tastes delicious", 1960
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But it cannot be THAT delicious. C'mon, it doesn't taste like chicken!

In Russia, train rides you

What is the message of this ad?

"Newest Russian discovery", 1959
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Self-deprecating irony? Red-scare mongering?

If the copy of the ad reads their railroads are better funded and more extensive than ours, then the masthead is definitely misleading - talk about Cold War politics.

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel" Samuel Johnson, 18th century.

Doctors can be wrong

A doctor's recommendation can be very useful in advertising. Even for a product like cigarettes, with no known beneficial effects.

"Less Irritating", 1946
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Every case of irritation is cleared up. Or improved.
The medical authorities know this brand is good. Trust them. Smoke more.

Count your calories

Who would have thought? 

According to this piece, sugar has less calories than tomatoes. The difference in measurements used in the ad is just a mere technicality.

"Which is less fattening?", 1953
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If you're interested in the oh-so-boring-details, you would find that sugar actually has 378 calories and tomatoes only have 18 calories, per 100 gram (3.5 ounce) portion. Bon appetit.