When they first started making cigarette ads illegal, I wondered what they were going to replace them with. As an old man I remember seeing them, it seemed continuously they spoke of all lies. We all knew they were falsehoods, but so many of them were so ‘cute’.
Many of the quips and jingles, if I quoted them today many would turn and look at me in remberance. I must admit, as much as I disliked smoking, those advertisers could come up with some winners, the type you could actually enjoy.
Not that I am in favor of smoking and all the problems it brought, but sometimes I miss those old commercials. Many were actually entertaining. I suspect that might be one of reasons they wanted to rid the airways of them.
They not only went after the actual commercials but also the subtle ads. In the movies they actually paid to have smoking sequences to make it appear the natural and normal thing to do. It was rare to see a movie where such methods were used.
Today, they continue to use the same methods, but not with tobacco. Today it is alcoholic beverages. Today they show people in bars wrapping up things after the big law case. I mean it is what they all do in real life, right. And for sure, which is worse, tobacco or alcohol. You likely have your opinion. However, I’d much rather see ads for cigarettes than booze. Isn’t it just wonderful seeing those Clydesdale horses pulling those huge wagons piled high with beer.
Certainly, alcoholic beverages have helped pull up the slack. We now have far more entertainment being sponsored by far more drinks. And, by the way, let’s remember, those pictures are far better quality today. That takes expensive equipment don’t you know. And those selling alcohol are more than willing to provide the ads.
However, might I remind you that, according to a PSA, Public Service Announcement, thirty percent of fatal accidents are caused by people under the influence of alcohol. I haven’t seen any stats on those that are injured, maimed or permanently disabled, but I would expect those numbers too are far more than they should be. Might I also suggest that spouse and child abuse is likely almost always accompanied by the spirits.
If they had reason to stop tobacco ads, they have far more reason to remove alcohol ads. But then, if they did that, who would pay for the commercial television?
Well, I do have a partial answer, all those part C Medicare advertisers. Come this time of year, they are on every commercial break, sometimes twice. They keep those things up and I’ll start begging for them to bring back the tobacco ads.
