Smyrna times., 1888-01-18
The Boy and the Cigarette.

During the past few weeks the news
papers have had to chronicle the
deaths of several young boys as the
result of All excessive indulgence in
cigarette smoking. One of these cases
occurred in Philadelphia, and another
in HammOntOn, N. J. There was no
doubt in the minds of the attending
physicians as to the cause of these
deaths, as there is none in the opinion
OF New York physicians that there are
now at least 5000 cases of impaired
health in that city resulting from
smoking cigaretts, a considerable num-
Der of which are of boys. Physicians
have well-defned views concerning
the harm done to youths from an in
diligence in the use of tobacco. One
OF the most eminent practitioners in
New York city claims that it stunts
their growth and sows the seeds of dis
eases which develop in later years
such as throat diseases, lung troubles
and dyspepsia.
1t is probable that few parents of 40
years of age and upwards realize what
a revolution in the smoking habit has
been brought about by the introduce
ton of the cigarette. 1t can be pur-
chased cheaply, is quickly used and
can be easily concealed from prying
parental eyes. At most of the small
groceries they can be bought two for
cent, and a large number of boys, 7
years old and upwards, who formerly
spent their pocket change in candies
and toys now invest it in cigarettes.
AS II to place every possible tempta-
ton in the way of the young smoker,
some school stores even, where states,
pencils, books and stationary are kept,
now have cigarettes and tobacco as a
part Of their stock in trade. 1t is no
unusual sight to see a crowd of boys
on their way to or returning from
school every one of whom is putting
away at cigarette.
There is no law, we believe, in this
State forbidding the sale of tobacco to
boys of any age, and the only proven
tive Is the watchfulness of parents and
guardians or the distaste of the youths
themselves. Illinois has law which
makes it an Offense, punishable by a
fine of $50 for every violation, to "sell,
buy for, or furnish any cigar or cigar
cite or tobacco in any of it's forms to
any minor under 10 years of age, I'M
less upon the written order of parent
or guardian" This measure was
enacted largely through the exertions
of the teachers in the public schools
who found it impossible in any other
way to stop the smoking habit of
young boys and even girls in the
school buildings and yards. 1t is dis
cOuraging fact that many parents
especially in Chicago, instead of giving
their earnest support to this
-" ANNO bAAOWh AuCll luuuCuCC
against its enforcement. With paren-
tai prejudices to overcome, it is not
strange that little. progress has been
made thus far towards checking the
cigarette habit.
According to the reports of the
revenue department of the Govern
ment there were manufactured last
year 1,2OO,OOO,OOO cigarettes, and, as
an equal number probably were made
by the smokers themselves, there were
at least 2,4OO,OOO,OOO cigarettes con-
sumed, and even this total does not in
clude the 100000 or more imported
from foreign countries. This would
give about 100 cigarettes to every male,
and as the larger part of them are
smoked by youths under 10 years of
age, the total for each smoker is largely
increased. These may possibly impress
parents with the enOrmity of an evil
which has already done a vast amount
of harm and is destined TO do much
more unless promptly checked. PhiIG-
deLphiG Press.