Smoke Cigarettes (1950) Soviet Advertising Poster
Please note, we also sell a framed version of this poster here on RUS & SOV.
About the Poster
Smoke Cigarettes (Russian: Курите Цигареты) is a 1950 Soviet advertising poster by I. Rosanov and S. Sakharov (Russian: Росанов И., Сахаров С.).
These days, the poster is often smiled at for encouraging people to smoke, rather than promoting a particular brand. There is, however, somewhat of an interesting backstory to this poster. During this time, the majority of Soviet smokers used a low-quality, homegrown tobacco called makhorka (махорка), usually sold loose leaf. The fifth Soviet Five-Year Plan of 1950, though, called for a significant increase in production of cigarettes. Cigarettes, being pre-rolled and often filled with higher quality tobacco, were sold at higher prices. And so, in an attempt to meet plan targets, the Soviet Ministry of Food Industry hoped to stimulate demand for cigarettes using this poster. Think of it as the Soviet version of the Malboro Man - only instead of an independent cowboy, he's a handsome young engineer or scientist, contributing to advancing Soviet industry following WWII.
And just to confirm, this is a government advert. The text in the top right reads, "USSR Ministry of Food Industry Glavtabak" (Russian: «Министерство пищевой промышленности СССР Главтабак»).
Original Poster
Poster Quality
Museum-quality posters made on thick and durable matte paper. Add a wonderful accent to your room and office with these posters that are sure to brighten any environment.
Please note, all poster sizes are in inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm).
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 5.57 oz/y² (189 g/m²)
• Giclée printing quality
• Opacity: 94%
