The Marlboro Man is one of the most iconic advertising images from the 20th century. The cowboy, depicted in some rustic setting, was single-handedly responsible for turning Marlboro’s annual sales from $5 billion a year to over $20 billion a year in the two years after the campaign was introduced. Since the success of that campaign, anti-smoking activists have tried several different ways to limit cigarette advertising. The latest salvo comes in the form of last week’s WHO statement on plain packaging, where they recommended plain packing as part of “comprehensive approach to tobacco control that includes large graphic health warnings and comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.” Plain packing standardizes how cigarettes are sold, keeping the picture health warnings, but making the brand names, pack size, colour scheme all identical to limit their appeal.
Mr Epidemiology
Atif completed his Masters and PhD in Epidemiology at Queen’s University, and currently works in health services research in Toronto, Canada as an epidemiologist. While his research examines the health of Canadians, he is also heavily involved in science outreach and communication. You can connect with him on Twitter @DrEpid
Mr Epidemiology 
Leave a Reply