Captured

When celebrities shilled for cigarettes

These vintage ads remind us how far the social stigma against smoking has come

Remember when President Obama was trying to quit smoking? Updates of his progress were doled out to the White House press corps alongside world-moving news of war, the economy, and health care reform.

These days, more and more smokers, especially public figures, are shamed out of the unhealthy habit. But 60 years ago, celebrities were often the face of cigarettes, shilling for their favorite brands like smokes were just another household item. Here are three such vintage ads featuring three very proud, very famous, smokers.

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