Don't Be a Butthead Don't Be a Butthead

Contributor(s): The History of Medicine Division. Prints and Photographs Collection CDC Publication: CDC, 1998 Language(s): English Format: Still image Subject(s): Smoking Smoking Cessation Public Health Genre(s): Archival Materials Posters Slides (photographs) Abstract: Anti-tobacco campaigns have frequently used a deglamorization strategy, which involves challenging the persistent social norm of smoking cultivated by the positive imagery used in the marketing of cigarettes. This poster from the Centers for Disease Control in 1998 uses humor and an edgy layout with bold red lettering set against black and white to deglamorize tobacco use. It suggests that cigarette smoking is ridiculous and unattractive. The face of a teenage boy, who looks into the camera as he is about to light up a cigarette, has been superimposed onto a cigarette butt. The message playfully suggests that smoking makes one look like a "butthead"--a reference to stupidity or ridiculousness in the common vernacular of teenagers. Copyright: The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information) Extent: 1 pages NLM Unique ID: 101584655X57 (See in Profiles in Science) Profiles in Science ID: VCBBDX Permanent Link: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101584655X57 Archival Collection: Visual Culture and Health Posters (Profiles in Science)