Television Quits Smoking

The Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act of 1969 banned cigarette advertisements on American radio and television beginning on this day in 1971. Passed in 1970, this law also launched the infamous Surgeon General Warnings on cigarette packs. The legislation marked the beginning of the on-going regulation of tobacco product marketing and the end of decades of cigarette manufacturers being the primary sponsors for television shows, including cartoons. For example, Winston’s was a major sponsor of The Flintstones in the 1960’s. At the end of each episode, Fred and Barney were seen using and endorsing Winston Cigarettes. Here is a clip with Golden Age of Animation voices, Alan Reed (Fred Flintstone) and Mel Blanc (Barney Rubble) promoting Winston Cigarettes.

In another example of an animated cigarette commercial (Chesterfield Kings, 1957), Daws Butler (know for characters such as Quick Draw McGraw, Yogi Bear, Snagglepuss, and Huckleberry Hound) voices the Chesterfield King. You’ll recognize many of the other voices from cartoons and cereal commercials of the time.

In the four decades since the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act, much tobacco advertising has disappeared, replaced by anti-smoking public service announcement such as this Star Wars PSA from the early 1980’s. In this clip, as in the movies and related series, C-3PO is voiced by Anthony Daniels.

Follow this link for a Collection of Anti-Smoking TV Ads.

Follow this link for assistance with quitting smoking.

Tags: anniversary, commercial, radio, TV, voice actors

Saturday, January 2, 2010

As an important device in the world of audio engineering and voice-over (VO), the VU Meter serves as the inspiration for monitoring and measuring the voice-over industry over time via the "VO Meter" blog. Subscribe to the “VO Meter” via RSS feeds or receive email updates and be treated to a bit of voice-over history and trivia with each entry.

Blog Author: Kevin Readdean, Voice Talent, KevinsVoice.com