Was anyone bothered by the fact that Max smoked cigarettes during the show's run?

You have to look at the smoking issue in the context of the times: Smoking was still socially acceptable both in real life and on TV back in the late sixties.

The surgeon general's report had just come out and the ramifications of it wouldn't manifest itself for a few years yet.

If you think Max was bad, hell, I remember an episode of Dragnet where they were in someone's apartment investigating a crime scene and the officers just lit right up, without asking if it was okay.

It wasn't until around the mid-seventies when TV got politically correct and most characters didn't smoke. And if they did, it was usually portrayed as a bad habit or was centered around a plotline in which a character was trying to quit.

Sadly, Don Adams kept the smoking habit all through his life; although, he changed to small cigars later in life.....he was a habitual smoker and its not surprising that he died of congestive lung disease

Dr. Thong is right - look at Bewitched. Darrin and Larry both smoked like chimneys, as did many of their clients. Sadly, like Don Adams, Dick York (Darrin #1) also succumbed to the effects of chain-smoking. He died of emphysema in 1992. :(

Interesting info! I always thought that in real life Don Adams abstained from tobacco and alcohol, but maybe he just passed on the alcohol.

Interesting info! I always thought that in real life Don Adams abstained from tobacco and alcohol, but maybe he just passed on the alcohol.
Yeah, it always makes watching those shows kind of sad now, knowing what happened to these gentlemen in real life. :(

As yall stated smoking was more common during the 50's and into the 60's. You could smoke just about anywhere, and it was socially acceptable, and there wasnt as much information about how bad smoking is like there is now. Prior to the 70's you will see loads of TV shows and movies in which several people are smoking.

As yall stated smoking was more common during the 50's and into the 60's. You could smoke just about anywhere, and it was socially acceptable, and there wasnt as much information about how bad smoking is like there is now. Prior to the 70's you will see loads of TV shows and movies in which several people are smoking.


Heck, during that time you could smoke in your hospital room as long as oxygen wasn't in use at the time. Then by early 70s most hospitals had "sunrooms" at the end of the halls where you would go to smoke. The smoke still went everywhere.

Both Laura and Rob smoked on the Dick Van Dyke show - along with Sally, Alan and Jerry Helper (who played a dentist with medical knowledge).

Both Lucy and Ricky smoked, and would even do commercials for their cigarette sponsors on the show.

There was a time were approximately 68% of the population smoked. It was the norm rather than the exception. Even if characters on shows didn't smoke, watch closely sometime and you'll see that most sets had an ashtray somewhere in the room.

^ Times sure have changed, haven't they? Wow.

For the better...I have serious asthma and I hate it when people smoke anywhere near me

For the better...I have serious asthma and I hate it when people smoke anywhere near me
I don't have asthma but can't stand the smell of cigarettes. YUCK. :mad:

I cant stand the smell of cigarettes either, but I have friends who smoke, thats how it goes I guess.

For the better...I have serious asthma and I hate it when people smoke anywhere near me


Funny, over the holidays my brother and I were remembering when we were kids. Both our parents smoked and either didn't care, or just didn't realize what they were doing but I remember taking one of my worst asthma attacks at the end of a vacation in Muskoka. As it turned out, I had pnemonia (sp) with it, but even though my parents had to rush me to a drug store for help (we didn't know of any doctors and there wasn't one as it turned out). It was the first time I was ever given a puffer - they had just come out with them and the pharmacist only did it because I was turning blue and losing awareness. Anyway, it did help to get me back to Toronto to a hospital, but the whole drive back both my parents kept puffing away on the cigarettes non-stop. We didn't dare say anything either in those days.

Yah, it sure has come a long way. Hopefully a couple of generations from now, people will be smoke free.

I thought you said that you smoked Cathie? (Of course, I could be wrong)

I thought you said that you smoked Cathie? (Of course, I could be wrong)


Like an idiot, I do. All of us ended up smoking, myself and two brothers. One has been able to quit thankfully, but I'm still having a very rough time.

I took it up even with the asthma. Back then, the family smoked, and everyone I knew basically smoked. I was looking at quitting last year when everything in my life fell apart. I've been warned by ALL my doctors not to even bother tryinig again right now. They're right too, I'd just fail again and it would make my self esteem even worse. They want me to deal with the immediate things, get over that hump and then work on it.

It's the next in my plan believe me.

You need to find a way to reward yourself Cathie.........as for your life falling apart, you can pm/email me anytime you need a friend :)

You need to find a way to reward yourself Cathie.........as for your life falling apart, you can pm/email me anytime you need a friend :)
I suppose so. Trouble is that I find little enjoyment in anything anymore. Even in stuff I used to love to do. Normally my art would have been my escape, but I just don't even feel like doing that.

Thanks Mikey :wave: You're a very sweet friend! :)

We love you, Cathie!! :bighug:

In spite of being a smoker, Don Adams lived to the age of 82 ... and George
Burns, who smoked cigars, lived to 100 years old! On the other hand, the
following smokers died in their fifties: Humphrey Bogart (57) and George
Harrison (58). So, you just never know. Still, knowing what we know now,
it is best to never start the habit .. because you're gambling with your life.

Well said Collector :cow: yup yup!