Winston Cigarette Ad

This Flintstones advertisement for Winston cigarettes conveys the idea that smoking is cool, with absolutely no health precautions, disclaimers or warnings. We can see from the video the drastic changes that have occurred in both technology and attitudes since the time this commercial was aired in 1961.

The ad features Fred and Barney Flintstone enjoying a smoke while they lazily watch their wives hard at work. In attempt to sell their cigarette, Winston uses the cartoon to endorse smoking this particular brand. The characters claim the cigarette has the best taste (“the way a cigarette should be”), a pure filter, and comes from the finest selection and process of tobacco. The advertisers use a popular cartoon to promote their product and reach out to the television audience.

Today, a commercial such as this would raise much controversy and likely be banned from television. It could be argued that this particular commercial was targeting a young audience, since the Flinstones is a program typically viewed by children. In the sixties, this concept was not thought twice about – for one, we were not aware of the dangers of smoking, and secondly, programs aired on television were much more liberal. In some perspectives, we have come a long way since this time: obviously, we know the effects of cigarette smoking and ads such as this are banned. Children are not targeted (at least not up front), and it is mandatory that cigarette ads provide health warnings. Endorsement by such entities would provide a bad reputation, while in the time of this ad it was an effective way of sale. Still, we often come across ads or programs that give the idea that smoking is “cool.” While it may not be as direct as this ad, cigarette companies are still finding ways to promote their deadly product to audiences of every kind.