"Not one single case of throat irritation": misuse of the image of the otolaryngologist in cigarette advertising

The Laryngoscope
Hussein A Samji, Robert K Jackler

Abstract

Early in the last century, when questions about the health effects of smoking became a topic of widespread discussion, tobacco companies undertook a multi-faceted campaign to allay the public's fears. As terms like "smoker's cough" and "coffin nails" (referring to cigarettes) began to appear in the popular vernacular, tobacco marketers recognized the need to counter this threat to their livelihood. One strategy was to use endorsements by healthy and vigorous-appearing singers, radio stars, and actors. Another was to raise fears over weight gain: "Reach for a Lucky instead of a sweet." Among the more reprehensible tactics was the utilization of the image of the noble and caring physician to sell cigarettes: doctors were depicted both as satisfied and enthusiastic partakers of the smoking habit (e.g., "More doctors smoke Camels"). Images of medical men (and a few token women) appeared under warm reassurances of the safety of smoking. Frequently, images appeared of a head-mirrored "throat doctor," smiling benignly, while indicating that the company's product would do no harm. Indeed, many cigarette ads, especially for menthol brands, suggested a therapeutic soothing benefit from smoking. Liberal use was also made of pseudo-scienti...Continue Reading

References

Apr 1, 1992·Journal of Psychoactive Drugs·J Slade
Jan 1, 1970·The New England Journal of Medicine·D E Redmond
Oct 8, 1994·BMJ : British Medical Journal·R DollI Sutherland
Jan 1, 1995·The Journal of Laryngology and Otology·R D Laurenson
Jul 9, 1998·Statistical Methods in Medical Research·R Doll
Mar 15, 2002·Tobacco Control·G Ferris Wayne, G N Connolly
Mar 1, 2003·Journal of Urban Health : Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine·R Doll
Jan 20, 2004·Canadian Bulletin of Medical History = Bulletin Canadien D'histoire De La Médecine·Gerry HillJames Connelly
Feb 27, 2004·Tobacco Control·S ShiffmanM E Di Marino
May 27, 1950·Journal of the American Medical Association·E L WYNDER, E A GRAHAM
Jun 1, 1950·The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology·M C MYERSON
Jan 26, 2006·American Journal of Public Health·Martha N Gardner, Allan M Brandt
Aug 17, 2006·European Journal of Cancer Prevention : the Official Journal of the European Cancer Prevention Organisation (ECP)·Christopher SquierNatalia Medvedovskaya
Jan 9, 2007·Addiction·Carrie M CarpenterGregory N Connolly

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 1, 2011·Tobacco Induced Diseases·Joshua Rising, Lori Alexander
Sep 19, 2008·Cancer·David M CognettiStephen Y Lai
Jun 24, 2011·Surgical Neurology International·Zain A Sobani, Arshad Ali

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Nicotine & Tobacco Research : Official Journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco
Charyn D Sutton, Robert G Robinson
American Journal of Public Health
Edith D BalbachElizabeth M Barbeau
Nicotine & Tobacco Research : Official Journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco
Felipe González Castro
Nicotine & Tobacco Research : Official Journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco
Phillip S Gardiner
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved