PubHawk
Am J Public Health February 2006 PMID 16434689

"The doctors' choice is America's choice": the physician in US cigarette advertisements, 1930-1953.

Martha N Gardner, Allan M Brandt

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Mentions

73
Peak: 2 in Aug 2025
across 6 sources since Mar 2020

Extended reach

4,516
potential audience

Total likes

9

Video views

327

Mentions per month

Mar 2020 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • Facebook27 posts
  • News24 articles
  • Blogs10 articles
  • X / Twitter8 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions highlight how physicians' endorsements were used in cigarette advertising to sway consumer habits, with users emphasizing the manipulative tactics of tobacco companies, exemplified by remarks on how even doctors participated in campaigns, and the mention of RJ Reynolds fabricating 'facts' about doctors and smoking. Such language and tone contribute to a consensus that this history reveals ethical breaches and corporate influence over public health, resonating with the article's implications.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most posts acknowledge the problematic role of physicians in promoting cigarettes, aligning with the article's critique of the tobacco industry's tactics.

InterestHigh interest

Discussions show high interest, with users recalling historical practices and questioning the ethics behind doctor endorsements in advertising.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several posts delve into details about the history and influence of these ads, indicating moderate to high engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

While some posts suggest awareness of ongoing issues related to corporate influence, the overall perceived impact remains moderate, reflecting the importance of the historical context.

Abstract in brief

  • In the 1930s and 1940s, cigarette smoking became widespread and many physicians also smoked, even as public worries about health risks began to grow.
  • Tobacco companies responded by creating ads featuring doctors to reassure consumers that their cigarettes were safe and to suggest physicians' opinions should guide smoking choices.
  • By 1954, due to increasing evidence linking smoking to health problems, the tobacco industry found physician endorsements in ads less credible and stopped using them as much.
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Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Swedishchef
@swedishchf · X

@TheCrystalBrian @pawley_robert @HupperichWerner @BurgerLab12 @SkepticSplinter @frugalsues @TheFrankmanMN @TwoCoconutHusks @ChrisJohnsonMD @ghoppe @ArtysHouse @carlsmythe @ADevotedYogi @kevinault @HardTru64414273 @fowlerfam1 @LockKerrUp @groin_hammer @MartinTurnbul19 @andylumm @temple_surly @SwaledaleMutton @RTheatheist @mcfunny @wjack76995 @TierraHenson @JustPlaying2Win @Noel82002324 @Shared_facts @MRobovsky @SassyGirlD1 @Chris_F_Carson @Bebert701 @Ipdailyok @OceanAteMyPhone @DrJoeMcCarthy @ShawnWo78307528 @Hashgraphian @claudeddaniel @thatsnotmine125 @BuzzKent1776 @barryjohnreid21 @rw_christian @cappsie @VikiLovesFACS Also, RJ Reynolds made up that “fact” about doctors smoking Camels. https://t.co/yvcUE6OCVP

Apr 9, 2022 · 2 likes · 824 followers View post →
Swedishchef
@swedishchf · X

@satekor @AndrewLazarus4 @ogilville1 @immunotoxPhD @catvaxlax @OldeNaturalist @KStateTurk @kevinault @sailor_man_dan @Sara4843 @tenebra99 @deralteGaukler @janem1276 @doom37455413 @raouldukeerik @zeetubes @PaulDesmoParker @handmadekathy @namagoy @sammy44231 @Tony__Heller @mcfunny @provaxtexan @Monstercoyliar @andylumm @richykirsh @_mamadeb @JimeeLiberty @rpagano697 @kath2cats @Kathmarval @Fannyi5 @TechARP @SkepticalMutant @runhack @CarvilleDean @ConsequentialBr @MichaelBuerger8 @WendyOrent @MsTrixter @DevoDalek @FactPhily @JamesLynchGTC @quintic @SoupTomatoSoup @WorldFullofJunk @andnowsheisnot @TyotoRiffle @pandemichoax21 @sasha13043803 That was almost entirely concocted by the tobacco companies. https://t.co/yvcUE6OCVP

Nov 30, 2021 · 2 likes · 824 followers View post →
Danielle
@Danielledeco · X

@BillAckman Thought everyone was thin in the 1930s because they were smoking cigarettes… https://t.co/mtipiDAwJp

Feb 11, 2024 · 1,414 followers View post →
Alice Summer
@kuriousmind93 · X

@LoriBoyle14 @HighWireTalk Am J Public Health. 2006 February; 96(2): 222–232. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2005.066654 PMCID: PMC1470496 PMID: 16434689 “The Doctors’ Choice Is America’s Choice” The Physician in US Cigarette Advertisements, 1930–1953 https://t.co/Fx2fNzsHRQ

Mar 5, 2020 · 575 followers View post →
Héctor Murillo
@DrHectorMurillo · X

Fuentes: Martha N. Gardner and Allan M. Brandt, 2006: “The Doctors’ Choice Is America’s Choice” American Journal of Public Health 96, 222_232, https://t.co/5k02rce4L8

May 29, 2024 · 485 followers View post →
Lya
@grignolita · X

@Rsidentdelarpu1 @L_Infirmier0ff https://t.co/QDCQgJLpzs

Aug 6, 2021 · 52 followers View post →

All mentions

Dismantle Propaganda
@DismantleProp · X

@RobbyDuzIt @ryanh71879 @Texas__Bulldog @EricLDaugh And you think big pharma wouldn’t protect their interests

Sep 24, 2025 · 1 followers View post →
Héctor Murillo
@DrHectorMurillo · X

Fuentes: Martha N. Gardner and Allan M. Brandt, 2006: “The Doctors’ Choice Is America’s Choice” American Journal of Public Health 96, 222_232, https://t.co/5k02rce4L8

May 29, 2024 · 485 followers View post →
Danielle
@Danielledeco · X

@BillAckman Thought everyone was thin in the 1930s because they were smoking cigarettes… https://t.co/mtipiDAwJp

Feb 11, 2024 · 1,414 followers View post →
Isaac Sears
@IsaacSears1730 · X

@mehdirhasan Never forget they had doctors advertising cigarettes... |https://t.co/IBI4BLzZbD

Jun 23, 2023 · 14 followers View post →
Swedishchef
@swedishchf · X

@TheCrystalBrian @pawley_robert @HupperichWerner @BurgerLab12 @SkepticSplinter @frugalsues @TheFrankmanMN @TwoCoconutHusks @ChrisJohnsonMD @ghoppe @ArtysHouse @carlsmythe @ADevotedYogi @kevinault @HardTru64414273 @fowlerfam1 @LockKerrUp @groin_hammer @MartinTurnbul19 @andylumm @temple_surly @SwaledaleMutton @RTheatheist @mcfunny @wjack76995 @TierraHenson @JustPlaying2Win @Noel82002324 @Shared_facts @MRobovsky @SassyGirlD1 @Chris_F_Carson @Bebert701 @Ipdailyok @OceanAteMyPhone @DrJoeMcCarthy @ShawnWo78307528 @Hashgraphian @claudeddaniel @thatsnotmine125 @BuzzKent1776 @barryjohnreid21 @rw_christian @cappsie @VikiLovesFACS Also, RJ Reynolds made up that “fact” about doctors smoking Camels. https://t.co/yvcUE6OCVP

Apr 9, 2022 · 2 likes · 824 followers View post →
Swedishchef
@swedishchf · X

@satekor @AndrewLazarus4 @ogilville1 @immunotoxPhD @catvaxlax @OldeNaturalist @KStateTurk @kevinault @sailor_man_dan @Sara4843 @tenebra99 @deralteGaukler @janem1276 @doom37455413 @raouldukeerik @zeetubes @PaulDesmoParker @handmadekathy @namagoy @sammy44231 @Tony__Heller @mcfunny @provaxtexan @Monstercoyliar @andylumm @richykirsh @_mamadeb @JimeeLiberty @rpagano697 @kath2cats @Kathmarval @Fannyi5 @TechARP @SkepticalMutant @runhack @CarvilleDean @ConsequentialBr @MichaelBuerger8 @WendyOrent @MsTrixter @DevoDalek @FactPhily @JamesLynchGTC @quintic @SoupTomatoSoup @WorldFullofJunk @andnowsheisnot @TyotoRiffle @pandemichoax21 @sasha13043803 That was almost entirely concocted by the tobacco companies. https://t.co/yvcUE6OCVP

Nov 30, 2021 · 2 likes · 824 followers View post →
Lya
@grignolita · X

@Rsidentdelarpu1 @L_Infirmier0ff https://t.co/QDCQgJLpzs

Aug 6, 2021 · 52 followers View post →
Alice Summer
@kuriousmind93 · X

@LoriBoyle14 @HighWireTalk Am J Public Health. 2006 February; 96(2): 222–232. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2005.066654 PMCID: PMC1470496 PMID: 16434689 “The Doctors’ Choice Is America’s Choice” The Physician in US Cigarette Advertisements, 1930–1953 https://t.co/Fx2fNzsHRQ

Mar 5, 2020 · 575 followers View post →