Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1890-03-14
THE CIGARETTE LAW.

NO QOuDt SOlllc vi Jul oooiSnSSpSAS
are unaware that the law prohibiting
the sale of cigarettes to minors is now
in full force. The bill, which was
passed in both houses, was promptly
signed by the Governor, and is now
law Of the land. There have no doubt
been many violations, but in most
cases it has been done in ignorance.
The grand jury, now in session, has
taken the matter in hand and will
make things lively for somebody.
The law assumes (unjustly) that
every man knows what the laws OF
the State are, and the plea of ignor-
ance of a new law hardly evcrtmeets
with the consideration it Should.
While the use Of the cigarette is so
injurious to the health Of all, especial
ly the young, and the recent law
should DO rigidly enforced, yet in JUS
tee to those who would not knowing
" violate it, it is to be hoped that the
grand jury will not be unduly exer-
cised in the matter, and at its present
sitting direct its attention more par
ticularly to violations in another di-
rection.
The manufacture of cigarettes in
this country is of much larger pro-
portions than most people dream OF.
In fact it has become one of the great
industries of this country end OF the
world. OF course their use is com
mensurate with their manufacture.
The cigar trade is probably fifty per
cent. less than it was ten years ago.
This is caused by many young men
who smoke a great deal and cannot
afford to buy many cigars, falling
back on the detestable cigarette. The
cheapness of cigarettes bring them
within the means of every little urchin
who can raise nickle. To gain an
idea of the extent of their uss here
one has only to walk about our streets
at night. He will see boys in small
squads, whose ages range from SIX to
sixteen years, smoking their cigar
cites with all the enjoyment of the
man who limits himself to an occas-
ional fine cigar. Telling the boys
that they are running their health is
like casting pearls before swine. They
are SO addicted to the habit that
warnings are of no effect. All parents
rejoice to know that our lawmakers
have taken the matter in hand and
enacted law that if properly en-
forced will be of incalculable benefit
to the rising generation. To aid the
law in its salutary effects every pa
rent and guardian should keep a
strict watch on his children--to say
nothing of not allowing them to be on
the streets at night. "When the band
begins to play" in front of the Opera
House the night of a minstrel per-
formance-o any other show carry
ing a bands when the small boy
revels in smoke. He can blow smoke
higher than the oldest cigar or pipe
smoker in town. He can take big
draw and initiate the two smoke
stacks of q steamboat quite fairly
You can almost see the smoke es-
Gaping from his eyes. He knows
he is injuring his health, but he
is in the same condition that men
are who are addicted to other bad
habits, he is a victim and the ex-
postulations of parents and friends
fall upon his ear unheeded. Who is
it that cares for our boys that does
not want an end put to this evili II
| is preached against in the pulpits, the
newspapers fight it day after day, ane
all coed people condemn it. 1t mus
be put down. Our State law is {
good one. 1t does not allow OF Gig
arettes sale to minors; it prohibits thu
sale of the material of which they ar
made to them, and allows no one t.
gire cigarettes to minors, under
penalty of $50. A fine law, indeed
1t could not be amended unless boy
were to be fined who might be caugh
smoking cigarettes. We earnestl,
hope that the cigarette law will sool
be faithfully observed by all dealers
not that we would in the least re
duce their sales in carrying ON
hitherto legitimate part of their bust
ness, but speaking in behalf Of on
boys, we must say that we would lik
to see the day when they could NJ
more get their hands on a cigarett
than they could get slice OF tn
moon if it were made of green cheese
BOYS, let the cigarette alone, ant
spend your nickels for candy or frui