Ironic Big Tobacco Memes

About

Ironic Big Tobacco Memes refers to a series of memes that ironically promote tobacco industry corporations, collectively referred to as "Big Tobacco," and smoking in general. Similar in nature to Gang Weed and Drunk Driving Memes, ironic memes about Big Tobacco gained initial virality in 2021 and saw viral spread online in 2022 and 2023.

Origin

On May 27th, 2021, the ironic meme account bigtobaccogang was created on Instagram.^[1] Similar to predecessors such as Gang Weed and Gang Alcohol, the account posted ironic memes promoting smoking and Big Tobacco companies and brands, such as Newport and Marlboro. On May 27th, the account posted its first meme that received 25 likes on Instagram^[2] in two years. On June 16th, the account then posted a The Rock's Pancakes meme that garnered over 160 likes in two years (shown below, right).^[3]

Spread

On March 22nd, 2022, bigtobaccogang posted an I Do Not Stand With Russia meme (shown below) that gained 850 likes on Instagram^[4] in one year and saw viral spread online. For example, on May 10th, iFunny^[5] user KaelZ reposted it, gaining over 760 smiles in one year.

Prior to May 23rd, 2022, Instagram user ax.racz posted a You Become What You Feed Your Mind meme that was widely circulated in the following months (shown below). A May 23rd repost by Tumblr^[6] user naupactus received over 7,100 likes and reblogs in one year. On September 24th, iFunny^[7] user XXXONAMEMESTREAK reposted the meme, earning over 3,200 smiles in 10 months.

More ironic Big Tobacco memes were shared and went on iFunny, Instagram and other sites in late 2022 and early 2023.

Various Examples

Search Interest

External References