As a non-smoker I’ve always found it interesting the marketing tactics that tobacco companies are forced to resort to. The advertising of tobacco products is highly regulated in North America today, so much so that we almost rarely come across ads in a given day. Many such ads may only be a picture of the packaging and a slogan, with the a bold warning being the most eye-catching aspect. I always wonder the value of the advertising when the ad is dominated by a warning of how dangerous the product is to use.
I suppose that this type of marketing does not even attempt to target new customers; there is nothing attractive to the non smoking observer. They mainly serve as a reminder to continue the habit for those who already are familiar with the product. The ironic packaging, as in the picture above, may even appeal to users who are trying to make some kind of statement of recklessness.