[1][2] The Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act was one of the major bills resulting from the 1964 report by the surgeon general, Luther Terry.

The report found that lung cancer and chronic bronchitis are causally related to cigarette smoking.

[3][4] But after a recommendation by the Federal Trade Commission, the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act amended the 1965 law so that the warnings are made in the name of the surgeon general.

[8] The Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act was introduced into Congress in 1969, but it was not until April 1, 1970, when U.S. president Richard Nixon signed it into law.

The actual cigarette advertising ban did not come into force until January 2, 1971, as per a compromise that allowed broadcasters to air these commercials during their telecasts of college football bowl games on New Year's Day.

[5] The last cigarette ad on U.S. television, advertising Virginia Slims, was carried on the last possible legal minute at 11:59 p.m ET/PT, 10:59 p.m. CT/MT that evening on NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Congress therefore passed the Comprehensive Smoking Education Act of 1984, requiring more specific health warnings.

[10] The tobacco industry has begun to use a variety of other marketing tools and strategies to influence people and attract new customers.