Doctors smoke for pleasure, too! And when three leading independent research organizations asked 113,597 doctors what cigarette they smoked, the brand name most was Camel!
While this ad urges the consumer to “Prove Camel Mildness in your ‘T-Zone,’” the ad also takes it upon itself to tell you the opinions of many others, ranging from 113,597 medical doctors to ‘hundreds of men and women” who tested Camels. In this way, the ad simultaneously provides the consumer with a sense of independence and autonomy – a common tactic in cigarette advertising, even today – while also providing reassurance and recommendation from authority figures. The overall message is a false health claim insisting that Camels are easy on the throat, or “mild,” a code word indicating a more healthful cigarette. The ad combines all three of the popular Camel slogans of the time, T-Zone, 30-Day test, and “More Doctors Smoke Camels.” Most obnoxious is the claim, “No throat irritation due to smoking Camels!” which can hardly be proven in 30 days.
Doctor, Female, Irritation, Mild, Throat
