1949 Camel ad

Internal tobacco industry documents released through litigation and whistleblowers has subsequently revealed major corporate deceit in addressing the public regarding the dangers of smoking.

John Wayne contracted cancer twice: in 1964, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and had his left lung removed, and in 1979 he contracted stomach cancer, which took his life. He felt his lung cancer was the result of his 5-pack-a-day, unfiltered cigarette habit. ~ Medical Bag


In 1964 a landmark U.S. Surgeon Generals’ smoking and health report linked smoking cigarettes with dangerous health effects, including lung cancer and heart disease. 

Since that time, the rate of cigarette smoking among Americans has been dramatically reduced.