IS SMOKING HARMFUL

Shannon News, 16 February 1923, Page 2

IS SMOKING HARMFUL

This is a question I am often asked, says a doctor, and I usually answer it by saying:—“ lf tkc inquirer has any doubt at all in the matter, I have no doubt that it is.” In other words, this means that the effect of smoking is extremely idiosyncratic. One person may smoke heavily feel no ill results whatever, while another has only to smoke in moderation to experience all I kinds of doubts and misgivings, to say nothing of actual physical disturbances. In such a mattef as this, each man miist of necessity be a law unto himself. It is a mistake for the young plan to J gin smoking with the idea that it is I one of the prerogatives of maturity to I be assumed as a matter of course. That I is a foolish spirit in -which to approach J any -pleasure, and particularly one I which so easily tends to become just a I bad habit. But, on the other hand, my I experience docs not lead me to pro-

nounce fanatical views on the subject, or to say that for many people smoking in moderation is not both a pleasant | and a harmless thing. It all depends j on the person and the view that is taklen of the word moderation. Excess in most things is harmful, and smoking provides no exception to .this rule. Therefore, the practice should be judged by the results. It is a difficult habI it to break, and for this reason I alI ways advise a patient who has any I doubt at all in the matter of its eonI sequences to give up tobacco altogether I rather than to attempt to discontinue | the habit gradually. A.clean break is I in the long run easier and more satisj factory than the doubtful and more difI iieult process of the gentle let-down.

The conditions governing free carriage of goods on the railways were recently inquired, into by Mr W. McKenzie, secretary of the Palmerston North Retailers’ Association, and explained at a meeting of that body on Monday. It- appetared that travellers by r&il are privileged to take with them lewt of “personal belongings,” defined as groceries, fruit, wearing apparel and sucht-like articles. 1 Picnickers or camping parties are. allowed to take blankets. High School pupils, the stationm.aster had explained, travelled on free, educational tickets, arid consequently wiere not expected to take advantage: by carrying goods of any description./or quantity free of charge. Any goods carried by passengers must be. personal belongings, to come within the free oT charge division. A person could purchase fruit to the amount ’of lewt and carry it without charge, provided it was solely for his own u«e. This condition was equally applicable to other personal goods.’ ’ - Mr H. G. lieng-Ward, advance representative of the Chautauqua, was in Levin yes terday in connection with this year’s season. He met several of those interested in the movement, and preliminary; arrangements were made for the visi.t, which is fixed for March 10, 12, 13 and 14. The company is already i n the Dominion, and has commenced fits tour at Nelson. Reports to hand indicate that son both the musical and lecturing sides the new i programme is a viery fine one, which has greatly pleased, large audiences. ‘ r A returned man, in Applying to the Horowhenua Patriotic Association yesterday for some assistance for his family, said ■he left one -job because he. did not like the boss, and the second one because he could not keep up with the gang on a certain Government job in the vicinity of Paekakariki.. Mr A. McKay "(the Paekakariki niemiber of the Association): If he couldj not keep up with that gang he could' not have been going very .fast.’(Laughter.)