70 Years of Menthol Cigarette Ads

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Selling "cool"

Menthols account for more than 25% of all cigarettes sold in the U.S., and their share of the shrinking cigarette market is growing.

Menthols are especially popular among younger smokers and blacks—which isn't surprising, since tobacco companies have largely targeted their menthol advertising to these groups. (Exhibit A: The 1973 Salem ad shown at left.)

But that's only part of the history of menthols. As this gallery of vintage menthol ads shows, they've been billed as a healthier and "cooler" cigarette since the 1920s.

Next: "Throat sore?"