In the mid-1960s the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed nationwide tobacco use was at over 42%.

Then, America’s tobacco industry was massive, employing thousands of people in agriculture, manufacturing, distribution, and sales. The industry’s epicenters were located in North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee.

BRIEF CONTEMPORARY HISTORY

During World War II, military ground and naval members were presented with free small cigarette packs and Zippo lighters.

On Jan. 11, 1964, Luther L. Terry, M.D., Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service, released the first report of the Surgeon General’s Advisory Committee on Smoking and Health.

On the basis of more than 7,000 articles relating to smoking and disease already available at that time in the biomedical literature, the Advisory Committee concluded that cigarette smoking is:

∫ A cause of lung cancer and laryngeal cancer in men

∫ A probable cause of lung cancer in women

∫ The most important cause of chronic bronchitis

By 1966, American cigarette packages began offering a consumption and health warning label on the side of each packet.

According to the research site, 24/7wallst.com, in the early 1970s a pack of 20 cigarettes could be purchased for 47 cents. Adjusted for today’s dollar, the pack would cost $2.47.

Today, across the nation a cigarette pack, including taxes ranges at a high point in Hawaii and New York states in excess of $10 to elsewhere on average $6 to 7.

In 2005, the CDC noted nationwide tobacco use for ages 18 plus was at 20.9%. Currently, the CDC reports this figure is now at 11.5%.

During COVID-19, at its high point, there was an uptick in smoking and tobacco use.

WHAT FOLLOWED CIGARETTE SALES

When cigarette sales were in their “heyday” there were numerous related industries, product sales, and social norms.

Smokers could enjoy their products in almost every public space including in a classroom, at the theater, in restaurants, and onboard aircraft, buses, and rail passenger cars.

If you rented a vehicle, you could smoke in it.

Restaurants, bowling alleys, and similar public venues offered cigarette vending machines where you could slip in two quarters for your favorite filtered or non-filtered brand.

As you entered or exited many establishments you could obtain a free match book or box displaying their advertising information.

Ashtrays abounded in homes, restaurants, offices, and even doctor’s offices. In addition, ashtrays with an accompanying push-in cigarette lighter were found in vehicles’ front and rear passenger areas.

Television, radio, newspapers, magazines, billboards, and transit systems offered a vast array of cigarette advertising. In fact, during Christmas, you would find Santa Claus encouraging you to give a bow-wrapped carton of ten cigarette packs.

Doctors along with actors such as Bette Davis, Lucille Ball, John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, and Ronald Reagan were featured in numerous cigarette advertisements.

Women smokers were marketed small leather or bejeweled cases to carry their cigarettes.

For all smokers, there was a vast array of lighters that could be refueled with fluid or completely disposable.

The consumer dental industry promoted toothpaste to brighten your yellowed teeth. While breath mints and liquids would freshen your breath.

With this lapse in American sales, tobacco and related industries have journeyed into the lucrative markets of China, India, Brazil, and Indonesia.

The Marlboro man and his horse rode off into America’s sunset nearly 50 years ago.

Jeffrey D. Brasie is a retired health care CEO. He frequently writes historic feature stories and op-eds for various Michigan newspapers. As a Vietnam-era veteran, he served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Naval Reserve. He served on the public affairs staff of the secretary of the Navy. He grew up in Alpena and resides in suburban Detroit.