An Example of "Settled Science" That Became Unsettled Just Decades Later.

Various Cigarette Advertisements in the 1940's and 1950's

[nickcarraway]

People first knew tobacco was bad for gealth at the time of Shakespeare.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: People first knew tobacco was bad for gealth at the time of Shakespeare.

So, knowing this, why did the doctors endorse cigarettes in the 1940’s and 1950’s?

[Tupelo]

“So, knowing this, why did the doctors endorse cigarettes in the 1940’s and 1950’s?”
M O N E Y !

[Billthedrill]

Ah yes, you're speaking of James I's essay A Counterblaste To Tobacco. He was also kind of irritated that places where it was smoked were hotbeds of revolutionary conversation. Since they ended up decapitating his son he might have had a point.

[mlo]

Advertisements aren’t science.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: M O N E Y !

AHA !! Could it not be the same motive behind today’s push for vaccines and other drugs? Inquiring minds want to know...

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

So, knowing this, why did the doctors endorse cigarettes in the 1940’s and 1950’s?

$$$$$$$$$

I have a book written by an outdoors man back in the 1930s.

He bluntly states that cigarettes will cut your wind.

He was a pipe smoker but one pipe full at the end of the day is different then puffing coffin nails all day long.

[NativeSon]

I don’t know about all this but I can sure go for a Chesterfield!

[discostu]

$$$

Those folks were all bought and paid for.

[Varda]

So when you went to school, they showed ads in science class?

[SeekAndFind]

RE: So when you went to school, they showed ads in science class?

I wasn’t in school when these ads were put out. Let me ask my Mom...

[SeekAndFind]

Edit to add: I became aware of the dangers of cigarette smoking when I first read this warning sign on every pack at about... 1970 (I think) :

[Amendment10]

First question to ask regarding “settled science” is who is following the unconstitutional federal funding?

[Steve_Seattle]

I have a DVD of some old Jack Benny shows from the 50s and early 60s. Lucky Strike was one of his advertisers, and they would often weave commercials for that and other products right into the show instead of cutting away. I think Ozzie and Harriet would do the same thing. “LSMFT - Lucky Strike means fine tobacco.”

[DCPatriot]

It was also a campaign slogan: “LSMFT means Lord Save Me From Truman”.

[Hardastarboard]

I was always amused by how they would put up pictures of rugged cowboys, and then a warning about how smoking can cause low birth weights in women who are pregnant and smoke. Talk about obscuring the overall message.

Although now I guess we have to take that message seriously, don't we. GGGRRR

[Getready]

Nicotine is a mental stimulant and it stimulates the pleasure centers of the brain...but it also raises blood pressure..etc..just a trade off...why do you think the coffee and cigarette are paired so often?
If one peruses all the nasty side effects of cocaine, opiates, alcohol, marijuana one can see the same concept going on. Risk vs benefit. Different era...different chemicals. Same old reasons. Give me pleasure or I die!
The advertisers and manufacturers and sales people play on our desires...and make a good living. See any parallels with drug cartels and pushers and hip celebrities?

[Varda]

OK so I must be older than you. Cigarettes were called “coffin nails” by my first boss who was an old guy in the 1970’s. He said he started calling them that in the 1950’s.
By then there were lots of studies linking smoking to lung cancer.

Anyway, there is no such thing as “settled science” at least not in scientific circles.

[Getready]

Or “ Loose Sweaters Mean Floppy T***?”