THE EVILS OF CIGARETTE SMOKING.

White Ribbon, Volume 23, Issue 267, 18 September 1917, Page 5

THE EVILS OF CIGARETTE SMOKING.

Dear White Ribbon Sisters, Having been appointed Superintendent of Narcotics at Convention, I am desirous of bringing under your notice a few facts concerning this great evil, and to thoughtfully consider its farreaching effects, and which, like the drink curse, is sapping the young life of our boys. Please remember that I am not now attacking the smoker in general, but the cigarette smoker in particular. At the same time, I am of opinion that the huge sum of money spent annually on tobacco could at such a time as this, when all are called upon to make sacrifices and to curtail expenses, be turned to more profitable account. It certainly cannot K classed as a necessity. What is it, then? A luxury? A pleasurable habit? A self-indul-gence? It may be all these, but it is a very selfish habit. I know of nothing that engenders selfishness like

the smoke habit. 1 am aware that there are some gentlemen who will, in deference to the expressed wish of a lady who objects, refrain, but is it not true that, as a rule, the smoker does not care whether >ou like it or not? in trains or steamers, despite the notice board in good type, and on the street, well, unless you arc prepared to play hide and seek, you cannot get away from it, the fumes, and often sparks, coming into one’s face. Hut on this occasion 1 want to confine myself to the cigarette, and it is for our lads that 1 plead, that we shall do our very utmost to instruct as to its evils, and persuade them not to begin. I suppose the greater number begin when still at school, and unknown to the parents, and possibly the first wilful act of deception is when they resort to peppermint to h'de, if possible, the tell-tale smell. We ask what is the reason for this early practice? I think the answer probably is that they see their elders smoking. It is doubtful, I think, that any of them really like it at first, but the idea of being like a man catches on, and the first step is taken ; the deadly cigarette is brought into requisition, and without knowledge of the evil effects or of the habit that will ere long become a chain to bind and enslave them. Dear sisters, there is so much to be said against it that one finds it hard to say just the wisest thing in the limited time and space at my disposal. At a later date I hope to be able to give facts and figures from a medical standpoint. Many medical men smoke, but 1 believe, if asked, they would to a man condemn it for our youth. Is the cigarette habit a good one? Has it an upward or a downward tendency? Would you or I be pleased if we learned our boy had begun to smoke? If we n.Jt a party of young men smoking, should we conclude that they were going to Bible Class? Some Bible Class leaders smoke, more’s the pity, and these have much- to answer for, because their example is not on the side of safety. Many lose sight of the Scripture injunction, “Anything which causes thy brother to offend; Am I my brother’s keeper?" Yes, in a measure we are, and we should use our best endeavours to remove the stumbling block out of the way of our weaker brother. I am told that the habit is taking hold of our girls also, and that it is a common practice for

young ladies to pass the cigarette round and smoke and chat at their “At Homes." 1 think it is, time that we realised the seriousness of the position, and as a band of Christian women hound together for God and Home and Humanity, u>e every endeavour to deliver the young from this deadly thing, that defiles the body as well as the higher and nobler part. A returned soldier, speaking of the strength of this habit, said that our boys would return from the Front “cigarette fiends.” He also tells me* that the average smoker smokes two packets a day, 6d per packet, at a c ost of £lB 5s per annum. Some smoke less, and some more*. May I ask all Secretaries of local Unions to support the c ircular I hope to send out shortly by passing on a posted preferred to the leaders of Young Men’s Bible Classes. —Yours in White Ribbon Bonds, MARY HOARE, N.Z. Supt. of Narcotics.