DEATH CIGARETTES:
Thirty years ago, in 1991, London entrepreneur BJ Cunningham introduced DEATH Cigarettes, a brand known for its striking black packaging adorned with white lettering and a skull and crossbones symbol. The cigarettes themselves featured a subtle version of this iconic design.
Covered in health warnings and featuring the universal symbol for poison and disease, DEATH Cigarettes aimed to present “The Truth” in a market full of fear, hypocrisy, and deceit. Unlike the standard health warnings of the time, DEATH Cigarettes embraced them, featuring ironic messages like, “Smoking kills. Given that information, if you choose to smoke, it’s your funeral.” Another slogan proclaimed, “The Grim Reaper, don’t come cheaper,” while posters for the brand boldly displayed messages such as “SERIAL KILLER” and “BLOW YOURSELF AWAY.”
“DEATH was a protest: a phenomenal brand success and a vainglorious business failure,” reads a statement from the brand. It faced relentless attacks from the traditional tobacco industry, the government, and anti-smoking advocates, ultimately meeting its end in a titanic battle at the European Court of Justice, where it stood against every member state and major tobacco company. “It was Death and Glory, Don Quixote, David against Goliath and all his mates,” the brand reflects. Ironically, DEATH kept its ‘money back guarantee’ promise to itself: “Too Bad You’re Gonna Die.”
During its reign as the world’s most notorious cigarette brand, DEATH made a bold statement, with its merchandise even worn by one of the 90s’ most influential artists. In the iconic 1993 photo of Biggie Smalls and Tupac during their legendary freestyle, Tupac is seen wearing a DEATH Cigarettes tee under a leather utility vest. The shirt, emblazoned with the brand’s signature skull and crossbones, serves as a stark reminder that death comes to us all.
Today, the vintage DEATH Cigarettes tee and its iconic skull-and-crossbones graphic are highly coveted items among collectors and those in the know. Authentic originals often sell for hundreds of dollars on resale platforms, highlighting their lasting appeal and the cultural impact of the brand. Recognizing this demand, DEATH Cigarettes relaunched earlier this summer, offering new versions of the classic tee. This relaunch provides an opportunity for both longtime fans and new enthusiasts to own a piece of the brand’s rebellious history. The new tees maintain the original design elements, ensuring that the spirit of DEATH Cigarettes continues to burn brightly in today’s fashion landscape.
Leave a Reply