Salem Cigarettes Commercial 1970

Salem is brand of cigarettes introduced in 1956 by the RJR as the first filter-tipped menthol cigarette. Its name (along with that of the Winston brand) derives from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the city where RJR was founded and headquartered.

Not long after introduction of the product it became the target of a spoof in MAD Magazine, with the well-known phrase, "Sailem [sic] don't inhalem."

In the late 1960s, the brand's slogan (sung to music in television and radio commercials prior to their prohibition on January 1, 1971) was "You can take Salem out of the country, but...you can't take the country out of Salem." Later, the slogan "Springtime... it happens every Salem" was used. In the 1970s RJR began marketing their cigarettes by linking the refreshing taste of menthol to outdoor scenes portraying water and pure nature.

For decades Salem was one of the best-selling cigarette brands in the US, though in recent years it has been surpassed by other menthol brands such as Newport and Kool.

There are now two main varieties of Salem: Green Label and Black Label. The Green Label is marketed as being more smooth-tasting, while the Black Label is said to be stronger or "harsher" tasting.

The packaging for Salem was significantly revised in the late 1990s, with the addition of Black Labels which had sliding packs, and the inclusion of a single cigarette with a dark green filter, appropriately called "The Lucky" after the tradition of flipping the first cigarette in the box upside down and smoking it last.

In Japan, a "clean cigarette" was introduced in August 1995 by R.J. Reynolds and branded as Salem Pianissimo, which was designed to reduce the odor of the cigarette, and generate a pleasant smell and taste in a society which holds cleanliness as a high attribute.

When cigarette advertising on TV was banned in the United States, the comedy show Laugh-In spoofed how manufacturers might get their message across subliminally: "Let's take a coupla boats up to Newport and Salem."

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Salem
• Cigarettes
• Commercial
• 1970

[vinnie404]

I listen to this song 3 years ago. and its still stuck in my head.

[Pookatube]

40 years ago this evening...

Cigarette Advertising on TV gasped its last breath!

[70sman4ever]

@karaloyal It sure would right on brotha!! Light up people! It's Springtime!! Dig it?!

[karaloyal]

Would that be a boost to the crappy economy... to bring cigarette commercials back?

[durinj]

YEEEAH!!!!!!!

[chrisman737]

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