PURE PLEASURE

No product is more synonymous with deceptive advertising than cigarettes. Throughout the early to mid-twentieth century, smoking ads flooded the market, often making absurd claims about the benefits of tobacco. In reality, the effects of smoking were frequently the opposite of what was promised.
In this piece, a Camel ad promoting "pure pleasure" is contrasted with a scanned image of wilted white flowers—an emblem of decayed beauty. This juxtaposition highlights the contradictions embedded in cigarette advertising and reflects the hidden, lasting consequences of smoking.