Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1856-04-30
Tobacco.

The very high duties laid upon Tobacco by
several nations of Europe-many hundred per
cent Of its cost price here-and the monopoly
in the sale OF it for the purpose OF extracting
heavy tax from the consumers, maintained by
other nations, have for many years been an
occasion of loud complaints on the part of our
tobacco growers. They entertain the idea that
these very heavy taxes levied upon the con-
sumption of Tobacco greatly curtail the use of
the article, and that if it could be had through
out Europe at american prices, its consump-
ton would be very greatly extended. There
are many articles as TO which this doctrine
would be quite applicable. A diminution of
one half in the price of cotton, sugar or flour
would no doubt lead to very extended con-
sumption of those articles and on the other
, hand, the imposition of duty by which their
cost to the consumers would be doubled or
quadrupled, would greatly diminish their con-
sumption. Bot tobacco seems 10 be an article
t to which this rule does no apply, except to a
: limited extent, and it is for that very reason
that the governments of Europe have been able
TO tax it so highly. Chewers and smokers will
have their indulgence regardless ofthe expense,
which, after all, with all the taxation levied
upon this fragrant weed, does not pass limit
= beyond the means of most laboring men-the
J. article being produced at very moderate
G price, and the quantity being quite limited
p which the most Inveterate smoker or chewe
- is able TO consume.
~ Some statistical inquiry on the subject latell
laid before Congress tend to confirm this view
I'd of the case. From these documents it appear
that here in the United States, where tobacco
Juice is so vigorously squrted in all possibl
u directions, and where it is almost impossible
IN at least in any public place, to escape the puff
nd ing OF tobacco smoke in your face, the consumT
tho orticlo .loaS avaaod fmo mound
ten ounces to each inhabitant. Hence it
y apparent that under the most favorable circum
EN- stances lis use will always be kept within pre-
els ty NARROW limits. The people of Europe, e.
~, elusive of Russia, notwithstanding the heav
duties by which the article is burdened, col
u" sumo now about two thirds OF that amount.
us appears also, from the same documents, TIL
although the growing of tobacco is prohibltt
old 10 Great Britain and some other European cou
va tries, yet that the total OF the European Gre
somewhat exceeds the total crop OF the Unite
u"' States whence it is reasonable to conclude tn
an increase in the consumption would not T
civ dound exclusively to the benefit of our Amel
go can growers
-" The attempt persevered in for so many yea
. a and SO constantly repeated, to induce the Go
YES ernments of Europe to alter their policy on Il
of subject seems to us little better than childis
H.. Can those Governments be expected to aband
a source ofrevenue at once so lucrative and
= unexce ptiOnable, merely to crafty the Anne
for can tobacco grower! If tobacco had about
any nourshing or even any stimulating quail
the Governments of Europe might be suppos
mes to have some inducement for desiring to
n of its use extended But as it is merely a n
,ek cotc, of which both the moral and physical
49, fects upon those who use it are of very du
-'"e Ons character, Governments have rather an
row terest in diminishing its use than IN extendi
ysi- it, except SO far that use may be a source
DIR. revenue. Indeed the interests of cleanlin
and decency, lot alone those of health, wO
s.. seem to afford abundant reasons why any C
lise- LIKED Government should reject with disd
ION our diplomatic efforts behalf of free tobac
- In fact. we are strongly inclined to believe I
" more than one of our foreign ENJOYS has of
ded in his own personal habits more thar
counterbalance to all his political and econo
'ohn cal arguments.-Tr Tribune.