Remembering Cigarette Billboards

In the United States' Tobacco Settlement of 1999 so-called outdoor advertising (aka billboards) for cigarettes were outlawed. Sure, smoking is a bad habit, an unhealthy addiction, but don't you miss the ads?

Well, if you do, there's no need to "white knuckle" it, becuase the Duke University libraries have wisely made room for the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) Archives. (I feel obliged to mention that their online image gallery includes more than just cigarette ads.)

And now, to satisfy your cravings... smoke 'em if you got em!





The prototypical cigarette ads featured rugged, macho men, like the Marlboro Man.

Other ads featured urban role models enjoying themselves.


Virginia Slims was the brand for ladies.



Some brands tried to attract smokers with "low tar" claims.


No offense to these actors, but I think the Joe Camel cartoon was an improvement over that brand's "live action" ads from the past.



See more billboards at the OAAA archives.