A set of historical advertising items is highlighted as examples of content that would not be approved today, including a New York pharmacy ad from nearly 150 years ago for “13-cent cocaine tooth drops” aimed at children. The ads are presented in the context of how cocaine was then used as a local anaesthetic in dental care.
The outlets describe the materials as “bizarre” in modern terms, emphasizing how both the medical context and the marketing language differ from current standards. The coverage also points to the broader theme of advertising rules changing over time, including promotional messaging that would be considered unsafe or misleading under contemporary health regulations. While both sources focus on the same general collection of vintage advertisements, they primarily differ in how they frame examples and wording rather than on the core factual claims about the historical cocaine dental drops.
Overall, the articles use these old advertisements to illustrate changing public health understanding and regulatory expectations, contrasting past commercial practices with present-day requirements for evidence, safety, and consumer protection.
