First Known Anti-Tobacco Ad Campaign

A Counter-Blaste to Tobacco

In a surprisingly forward looking ad campaign, King James I (a Stuart, I might add) struck out against the dangers of tobacco back in 1604.

A custome lothsome to the eye, hatefull to the Nose, harmefull to the braine, dangerous to the Lungs, and in the blacke stinking fume thereof, neerest resembling the horrible Stigian smoke of the pit that is bottomlesse.

You go, James. Nearly 400 years ago he knew what some tobacco company executives still refuse to admit.