Few things have changed as much in the past 50 years as Americans’ attitudes toward cigarettes and smoking. Once a ubiquitous presence in offices, restaurants, and even schools, smokers have been banished to vestibules, alleyways, and that one sad picnic table next to the parking lot.
Not that long ago, however, cigarettes were viewed not only as a fixture in most adults’ lives, but as a perfectly acceptable – nay, delightful – Christmas gift. Tobacco companies drove this point home by festooning their cigarette cartoons with holly, bows, and even Santa himself. Here are some of the more festive cigarette ads from our mid-century December issues.