1901: Strong anti-cigarette activity in 43 of the 45 states.
"[O]nly Wyoming and Louisiana had paid no attention to the cigarette controversy, while
the other forty-three states either already had anti-cigarette laws on the books, were
considering new or tougher anti-cigarette laws, or were the scenes of heavy anti- cigarette
activity" (Dillow, 1981:10).
1909: 15 states have passed legislation banning the sale of cigarettes.
1910: Because of the heavy use of the inexpensive cigarette by immigrants, New York accounts
for 25% of all cigarette sales.
1911: BUSINESS: THE INDUSTRY IN 1911:
Duke's American Tobacco Co. controls 92% of the world's tobacco business.
Leading National Brand: Fatima, (first popular brand to be sold in 20-unit packs; 15 cents) from Liggett & Myers, a Turkish/domestic blend. Most popular in Eastern urban areas. Other Turkish/domesitc competitors: Omar (ATC); Zubelda (Lorillard); Even the straight domestic brands were seasoned with a sprinkling of Turkish, like Sweet Caporals (originally made for F.S. Kinney and later for American Tobacco)
Leading Brand in Southeast: Piedmont, an all-Bright leaf brand.
Leading Brand in New Orleans: Home Run, (5 cents for 20) an all-Burley leaf brand.
During the early years, cigarette advertising was more sophisticated than many imagine.
The American Tobacco Company advertised aggressively and contributed to the rapid rise
in cigarette smoking. Advertising was commonly in print or at point of sale, especially with
sophisticated window displays made up of empty packages. Barns visible from rail lines
had advertising painted on them; fences were plastered with large posters; and billboards
and streetcars were used to advertise products. Associating a brand with special events was
another technique. For example, Pall Mall, a cigarette for the elite, was promoted in concert
and gala programs. Another promotional technique was the use of stunts, such as the
Red Cross tobacco brand — yes, Red Cross — in 1903 sponsoring a person dressed up as
a Red Cross package crossing Quebec’s Montmorency waterfalls on a high wire, an event
witnessed by a reported 30 000 people. The package featured the international Red Cross
symbol: a red cross on a white background. Red Cross was one of the most heavily advertised
brands in Canada. Other promotional activities included parades on city streets, balloon
ascents, and parachute drops.
Just some tidbits to maybe get some leads... I find it interesting that a Google search of "Red Cross Tobacco" gets many hits from Canadian articles, including a 1915 article from a Montreal newspaper explaining that the Red Cross won a court battle and Red Cross tobacco brand changed its name to Blue Cross.
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