Characters such as the melancholic anti-hero or the seductive femme fatale often smoked Kent cigarettes. A striking example can be found in the film “Night on the Town” (1950), where the protagonists smoked Kent as a kind of status symbol, embodying the rebellious spirit of the youth of the time. This cultural association not only boosted sales of the brand, but also reinforced the myth of the “cool smoker”.
TV shows of the 70s and 80s, such as “Mad Men”, also made the Kent cigarette a recurring motif. In this series, which highlights the advertising industry of the 1960s, the characters often smoke Kent to convey an image of success and style.
This portrayal helps to normalize society’s view of smoking as acceptable and desirable. Critics argue that such portrayals in the media distorted the perception of smoking and led many young people to accept smoking as part of a glamorous lifestyle.
Kent cigarettes are also present in music video culture. Artists such as Madonna and David Bowie integrated smoking into their videos, further cementing the image of the smoking star in pop music. Especially in artistic performances, smoking is often portrayed as an expression of rebellion and freedom.
This link between Kent and the alternative lifestyle contributed to the popularization of the brand in the music scene and established the cigarette brand as part of the digital aesthetic of the 80s and 90s.
In summary, it can be said that Kent cigarettes have played a complex role in pop culture for decades.
What are Kent cigarettes?
The Kent cigarette brand, launched in 1952 by the Lorillard Tobacco Company, has established itself as a fascinating symbol in pop culture over the years. Its presence in films, TV shows and music videos reflects social attitudes towards tobacco consumption and its transformation, while at the same time creating an image of glamor and rebelliousness. In the golden era of Hollywood, cigarettes were often associated with a certain lifestyle. Kent cigarettes were more often seen in films that reflected the lifestyle of the 1950s and 1960s – a time when smoking was seen as an expression of coolness and independence.