Abstract
Aims: To study tobacco advertising in the United Kingdom between 1950-2003 and to evaluate the role of the cigarette box in advertising. Method: Tobacco company advertisements (n=204) were coded for content and meanings used to promote the product. Results: There was a significant shift over time from cigarettes being displayed to the cigarette box only. Changes in advertising and the meanings evoked were unrelated to changes in smoking behaviour. Conclusions: It is argued that the cigarette box has absorbed the meanings associated with smoking and has become an effective vehicle for advertising. It is also argued that this can only be minimised with plain packaging.