[ Post a Response | The Sublime Desire of Cigarette Smoking ]
Posted by Jax
on December 13, 2010, 8:59 am
When I was a child I was transfixed by Kent cigarette commercials. So long, so white, so...sexy. I felt stirrings. As an adult, I smoked Kents in homage to my feelings. I was able to acquire a full set of these commercials. Most of them are now in the public domain. I will explain the technique and message I think they were sending.
A kent menthol commercial starts with a woman in a beret. She inhales a huge gale of smoke, and turns to the camera, blowing it directly into the face of the viewer. Her face is obscured by the deadly yet stunningly beautiful white plume. She seems to say, "Look at and taste my smoke. Try to resist. This is my signal to you that it's ok to become addicted, and to come to my and share the smoke.
Share my smoke. That's what they say they want. But they really want to spread their addiction, and, in turn, make us their loving slaves. I am. I watch it over and over, studying it for nuance. Her smile says, it's ok, smoke. Smoke and die with me. I will be with you on the journey--you are not alone. I will manipulate you to my way of living and death. Don't be afraid...it's in your face now. Inhale it and come to me.
Another is a group of young people riding motorcycles. Ah, risk. And now for more risk. And yes, it is exciting. The red haired woman leans into a metal lighter for her fire. She sucks hard and smiles, turns her face, and a massive cloud of addictive white smoke billows out. Smell it. Taste it. Kent got it all together, and it got you to start. Starting is safe. You can quit, right?
No.
You can't. She is telling me she wants me corrupted, under her control, and to become her companion. Taste the Kent, and take me. We'll share the addiction, together. Kent got it all together. Addiction, sex, death.
Smile. Plume. Inhale, smile. Plume.
God.
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