Selling alcohol and tobacco to the masses – in pictures

A new book tells the 100-year-long tale of how advertising tried to get consumers hooked on both cigarettes and alcohol. Through a selection of ads, companies can be seen employing a number of strategies to sell their products

20th Century Alcohol & Tobacco Ads by Jim Heinmann is available from Taschen

Main image: Jim Heimann. 20th Century Alcohol & Tobacco Ads Lucky Strike, 1935 Photograph: Courtesy Jim Heimann Collection/TASCHEN

  • Old Gold employed George Petty, the Esquire pinup artist of the time, who painted his ‘Petty girls’ as a monthly advertising come-on to design ads such as this 1950 example
    Old Gold employed George Petty, the Esquire pinup artist of the time, who painted his ‘Petty girls’ as a monthly advertising come-on to design ads such as this 1950 example

  • Known as ‘the Turkish cigarette’, Murad was one of many brands employing phallic imagery in their ads, such as this 1919 insert
    Known as ‘the Turkish cigarette’, Murad was one of many brands employing phallic imagery in their ads, such as this 1919 insert

  • A 1943 Carta Blanca ad
    A 1943 Carta Blanca ad

  • This Schlitz beer ad from 1951 was used in Life magazine. The company’s postwar campaign was focused on the simple pleasures found in daily life
    This Schlitz beer ad from 1951 was used in Life magazine. The company’s postwar campaign was focused on the simple pleasures found in daily life

  • A 1952 ad for Asti wine
    A 1952 ad for Asti wine

  • A 1988 ad for Bud Light using their mascot Spuds MacKenzie. The ads were controversial at the time as many believed the dog was being used to appeal to children
    A 1988 ad for Bud Light using their mascot Spuds MacKenzie. The ads were controversial at the time as many believed the dog was being used to appeal to children

  • This 1970 ad was an attempt by Kent cigarettes to appeal to black consumers
    This 1970 ad was an attempt by Kent cigarettes to appeal to black consumers

  • Lucky Strike used celebrities in their campaigns and claimed their cigarettes irritated the throat less than other cigarettes, such as in this 1935 ad
    Lucky Strike used celebrities in their campaigns and claimed their cigarettes irritated the throat less than other cigarettes, such as this 1935 ad

  • This 1973 ad was one of many in that era aimed at dispelling negative health reports, instead focusing its message on flavor
    This 1973 ad was one of many in that era aimed at dispelling negative health reports, instead focusing its message on flavor
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