16 Print Ads from the ’80s That Would Be Banned Today
A shocking flashback to the bold, tone-deaf, and often offensive print ads from the 1980s that wouldn’t stand a chance in today’s media landscape.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
The 1980s were wild — not just for fashion and music, but for advertising, too. Back then, brands pushed the envelope with provocative, sexist, and downright dangerous print ads that would spark outrage today. Here are 16 real ad campaigns from the ’80s that would never make it past modern regulations and public scrutiny.
1. Virginia Slims – “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby”
Joost J. Bakker on Wikimedia Commons
Disguised as empowerment, this cigarette ad targeted women with a message of independence through smoking. It glamorized an unhealthy habit and downplayed its risks.
2. Calvin Klein – Controversial Teen Imagery
Raysonho on Wikimedia Commons
The brand’s ads often featured young models in suggestive poses that sparked public backlash. Though intended to push boundaries, they crossed into uncomfortable territory.
3. Benson & Hedges – Oversized Cigarettes
Lnmrl on Wikimedia Commons
These over-the-top ads tried to make long cigarettes seem trendy and elite. However, promoting cigarettes with humor and glamor would violate modern ad standards.
4. Jell-O – Gender Role Reinforcement
Famartin on Wikimedia Commons
Ads featuring moms serving Jell-O to “please dad” reinforced outdated gender norms. They subtly implied that a woman’s role was in the kitchen and centered on pleasing others.
5. Pepsi – Michael Jackson “Dangerous” Imagery
NIKHIL on Unsplash
While the King of Pop sold soda, the ad’s use of fireworks and explosive imagery near children raised safety concerns. In modern times, such ads would be flagged for promoting unsafe behavior.
6. Tiparillo Cigars – Suggestive Slogans
rchappo2002 on Wikimedia Commons
This ad asked, “Should a gentleman offer a lady a Tiparillo?” — pairing tobacco with implied seduction. Sexual innuendo and smoking promotion in the same breath wouldn’t fly now.
7. Calvin Klein Jeans – Brooke Shields Quote
Chius Oilwua Makrai on Wikimedia Commons
“Nothing comes between me and my Calvins” was catchy, but problematic when spoken by a 15-year-old. Critics saw it as overtly sexual and exploitative.
8. Lego – Girls and Boys Have Separate Toys
Craig A Rodway on Flickr
Lego once ran ads clearly defining “boys’ toys” versus “girls’ toys,” reinforcing strict gender divides. Modern marketing now leans toward inclusivity and open-ended play.
9. Ford Pinto – Downplaying Safety
Morven on Wikimedia Commons
This ad focused on price and fuel economy while ignoring the car’s known safety flaws. It misled buyers by hiding major risks.
10. Marlboro – Cowboy Masculinity
Prawdapunk~commonswiki on Wikimedia Commons
The Marlboro Man was an icon of rugged individualism — but also of normalized smoking culture. Using archetypes to glamorize cigarettes has since been outlawed.
11. Sprite – Cartoon Characters Promoting Soda
Valentina Tamayo on Unsplash
Using animated mascots to sell sugary drinks to kids was once common. Today, many health advocates push back on targeting children with unhealthy food ads.
12. Weight Watchers – “Before and After” Shame Tactics
Mike Mozart on Flickr
The ad’s heavy use of shaming language to show transformation photos is now viewed as psychologically damaging. Modern body positivity trends call out these harmful tactics.
13. Budweiser – Party Scenes with Teens
Kimjon12 on Wikimedia Commons
These beer ads often featured young-looking actors at house parties, blurring age lines. Now, alcohol ads can’t include or target underage drinkers.
14. Nair – “Who Wears Short Shorts?”
Nick Richards on Flickr
While catchy, this ad heavily sexualized women in the name of selling hair removal cream. It objectified female bodies under the guise of beauty.
15. Diet Coke – “Just for the Taste of It” Seduction Angle
Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
The ad featured shirtless men as eye candy while women ogled from afar. It flipped the gaze but still relied on objectification to sell soda.
16. Camel – Joe Camel Cartoon Character
Joe Haupt on Flickr
One of the most infamous examples, Joe Camel made cigarettes look fun and cool for kids. Public pressure and lawsuits led to its retirement.