Romantic Cigarette Advertisements

     When I hear the word, my mind is filled with pictures of roses, moonlit walks on the beach, fancy gifts and exotic, private vacations. It is a word with so many positive connotations, that many people long for. The word can be used and tied into other ideas, and make them more appealing. In the modern world, smoking ads are among the most regulated in terms of marketing. Some or all forms are now banned in many different countries. In these old advertisements I found, which are outlawed now, smoking is linked with romanticism/sex to create a desire to fulfill these needs with smoking.

     This first ad states "Who says length doesn't matter?". This is directly related to sex in obvious ways. The couple in this picture appears extremely happy. They both have huge smiles on their faces, and are touching in many places. They appear to be well off financially, as the man is wearing a tie and they are sitting inside with a nice breakfast. Another romantic component of this advertisement are the flowers on the table. This ad persuades the consumer that these cigarettes will make smoking better, just as longer 'equipment' will make sex better. The name also epitomizes romanticism. Eve is the known for enticing Adam in the Garden of Eden. She is the sex symbol portrayed in many famous artworks and in movies from many time periods. A consumer would be urged to buy Eve brand cigarettes to fit into this construct of romanticism as it is very desirable.

     The second two pictures have two different takes on the romantic connection made with smoking,with both men and women. The woman in the ad on the left is in the ocean (nature is romantic). She is natural as well, wearing minimal make-up. Her shirt is sheer, basically see through. The ad connects the sexual idea behind her sheer shirt with the sheer enjoyment that a smoker would experience when they smoke this brand of cigarettes. A women who smokes this brand could believe that they would make her this attractive. A man could believe he would get the same pleasure from smoking these cigarettes as he does when looking at this ad.
     The Rothmans ad on the right depicts a pilot, signified by the 4 stripes on his sleeve, smoking one of their cigarettes.  In this era, pilots were idolized by women. They were successful, and always surrounded by numerous, beautiful flight attendants. This ad appeals to both men and women. It says to men, smoke these cigarettes and you will be successful with life and with the ladies. It says to the ladies, be with a man who smokes Rothmans.

     These advertisements that link smoking to romantic endeavors are now illegal in the United States and in many countries through out Europe. I guess that means that they had a positive effect on the sales of cigarettes, and needed to be eliminated. It is very interesting the way an idea can be connected with an action and make it more desirable and irresistible.