Benson and Hedges 1987 Advertisement

In July 1987, a Benson and Hedges smoking advertisement graced the pages of Architectural Digest magazine, featuring two elegantly dressed individuals indulging in a cigarette while gathered around a kitchen. The ad exuded a vintage charm with its muted color palette of gold, teal, yellow, black, and green. This advertisement aimed to influence readers to purchase Benson and Hedges cigarette boxes, a common sight in business establishments, homes, and waiting rooms, where magazines served as a popular form of entertainment before the era of social media.

During the 1980s, magazine ads were a pivotal means of product promotion, and smoking advertisements, in particular, enjoyed widespread acceptance in culture. This cultural norm stemmed from a lack of comprehensive research on the adverse health effects of cigarettes, leading to their endorsement by famous personalities and even family members. 

However, the landscape has shifted drastically since then. Present-day awareness of the dangers of smoking has led to a significant decline in the prevalence of such advertisements. Moreover, smoking ads no longer target a general or high-class demographic, reflecting the evolving societal attitudes towards tobacco consumption and health consciousness. The inclusion of a large warning label in the ad, cautioning about the potential future health risks of smoking, serves as a poignant reminder of how perceptions have changed over time.