Vintage 1934 Chesterfield Cigarettes: “I enjoy them a lot”

Let me preface this by stating that I am not a smoker, nor have I ever been. But I’ve always been fascinated by cigarette advertising, especially when it is directed towards women. This ad was on the back cover of the January 1934 issue of Picture Play magazine. What struck me most was the sheer artistry of the ad – a lovely portrait of a blue-eyed blonde elegantly holding a cigarette. Chesterfield – I enjoy them a lot… to me they’re MILDER … to me they TASTE BETTER. They Satisfy.

This was before doctors started making “health” claims about cigarettes in the 40s and 50s. And before all that “You’ve come a long way, baby” business from Virginia Slims in the 70s. Nope, it’s just a simple statement that she enjoyed smoking, and that they satisfy. Bam. Nothing else. And that’s kind of refreshing!

~Marilyn