Ron the Yarn Spinner

 

 

 

 Smoke If You Got Them

 

Bad advice…..

Free and subsidized branded cigarettes were distributed to soldiers (on both sides) during  WW II and even afterwards. As a kid in the fifties, I recall watching  Navy Log  and hearing an announcer say over the ending credits, “The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company has donated 5,000 cartons of Camel cigarettes to the following Army and Navy hospitals……”  I thought that if cigarettes were distributed at hospitals, they must be OK. How  about  that for subliminal advertising?

In the early 20th century, German researchers found plenty of evidence to show how smoking harms your health which strengthened the  country’s anti-tobacco movement. and it led to a state-supported anti-smoking campaign. But the propaganda minister's view was decisive; Joseph Goebbels felt that cigarettes were essential to the war effort. Cigarettes were distributed free to soldiers, including minors, as part of their pay.

Cigarettes were included in American soldiers' K-rations and C-rations, since many tobacco companies sent the soldiers cigarettes for free. Cigarette sales reached an all-time high at this point, as cigarette companies were not only able to get soldiers addicted, but specific brands also found a new loyal group of customers as soldiers who smoked their cigarettes returned from the war.

Although the government eventually  discontinued  providing free smokes during wartime, tobacco companies began campaigns during the Gulf War (1990-1991) to distribute free cigarettes to soldiers stationed in Saudi Arabia but were stymied by the Department of Defense. Unbelievably, Philip Morris developed a work-around and started its own campaign sending smokes through the  mail and offering  promotions like playing cards and mugs to deployed troops. Curiously enough, the military assisted the tobacco companies in delivering shipments to military stores in Saudi Arabia at government expense. The “S it”  the fan  when R.J. Reynolds  placed its company name on the front and a Camel advertisement on the back of donated magazines from Operation Desert News, a civilian project to bring magazines to the troops. Despite the initial rejection by the Department of Defense due to the advertisement, constant pressure from R.J. Reynolds and politicians (from tobacco states?) allowed the magazines to be delivered with the advertisement at government expense, violating military policy. Not to be outdone, Philip Morris focused on promoting the Marlboro brand with the goal of fostering corporate goodwill by initiating the "Marlboro holiday voice card" program. Held on ten military bases, they invited families of deployed personnel to record a message onto a chip inserted into a greeting card and later allowed bases to extend the recording of such messages to the public. Despite being in violation of Department of Defense policy concerning tobacco-branded programs directed at military personnel, Philip Morris had received permission to conduct the program from the Defense Logistics Agency, the Morale Welfare and Recreation headquarters of the services, and base commanders. Furthermore, after troops were withdrawn from the conflict in 1991, tobacco companies sponsored "Welcome Home" events for returning troops featuring extensive brand promotion.

A unique quality of both WW II armies (and WW I too) was that most soldiers  were conscripted into service; they were not  professional military. Habits these men acquired while in uniform or on the battlefield, came home with them when the war ended, and cigarette companies counted on it. My dad's birthday anniversary is drawing near and I am reminded that he was nearly drowned as a GI coming ashore on Omaha Beach, Normandy,  fought in five major battles, was wounded twice and by the grace of God made it home. But the cigarette addiction he acquired while serving under General Patton was something he just could not fight off. He died of emphysema “thanks” to Pall Mall – a R.J. Reynolds brand.

 

Meme:

In 1950, approximately 45-50% of the population smoked.

In 2025, the smoking rate is expected to be 12-14%.

 

Phil Silvers  a.k.a. Sergeant Bilko – a long time smoker- died of heart disease at age 74.