The morning call., 1892-03-23

CIGARETTE FIENDS.

1t appears from the interesting article in
yesterdays CALL that section 308 of the
Penal Code. forbiddng the sale Of tobacco
to children under 16. is sought to be made a
dead letter. at siXty-three stores which
were visited by small boys in the employ Of
THE CALL the BOYS had no difficulty what
ever in purchasing cigarettes. At three
stores only-namely. at 436 Kearny, ST. Mar
ket and 315 Kearny-were the requests OF
the lads refused. For the sake of the small
profit on package of cigarettes sixty-three
vendors of tobacco products were willing TO
violate the law of the State, and to con-
tribute their share toward undermining the
constitution of little boys. 1t is not pleas
ant showing.
The law prohibiting the sale OF cigarettes
to minors was suggested by the notorious
evils resulting from cigarette smoking
among the young. Whatever injurious re-
suits may flow from smoking by adults
according to Paxton they are very grave
indeed-there are no two opinions about the
mischief done by cigarettes among young
boys. Tobacco. in any form. produces
among the young a decrease of bodily and
mental vigor, and various affections of the
heart among which anemia, papitation and
intermittent pulse may be mentioned. The
pulse of boy who smokes flutters like a
wounded bird. and heart disease is quite
likely to follow. But of all the forms in
which tobacco is consumed the cigarette is
the most deadly. from the fact that the
paper wrapper is made from rags which are
quite likely TO be impregnated with disease
germs Every one who has inhaled the fumes
Of burning paper las noticed how acrd
and offensive they are. This is because OF
the putrescent nature of the material out of
which the paper is made. The cigar ette-
smoker takes these into his mouth AM
offers any germs which they may contain
board and lodging in his air passages. 1t
goes without saying that the introduction
of such matters into the system must be
foil owed by serious consequences. 1t fully
accounts for the pale faces. the watery
eyes, and the indspoSition TO labor which
are observed in habtual cigarette-smokers
Of Juvenile age.
1t might have been supposed that dealers
in tobaec0-whO constitute a large pr0por-
ton Of the people Of this city-woud have
had public spirit enough and concern enough
for the growing generation to have given
the law fair trial 1t is their interest as
it is the interest OF every one that the rising
generation should grow up strong and
healthy, with fair prospect Of average
! life. Bat it seems that the gain Of few
pennies outweighs all higher considerations
in the minds OF some of the dealers in to-
5aceo products They are ready to supply
boys with the poison they love, though the
law and common decency combine to for
bid it.
4 true cure of the cigarette habit can be
effected through parents and employers Of
youth. To the former the duty is impera-
tive. No boy can grow up to vigorous man
hood if he habitually inhales the fumes Of
nicotine and dirty rags at an age when his
organs are in course Of development His
growth viii be stunted; his heart action
viii be irregular; lie will be incapable of
prolonged eXertiOn; his mind viii be mac
tive; his perceptions Will be blurred; his
reasoning power dulled. A passer-by can
pick out from the crowd of boys one meets
at the District Telegraph Offices or in tile
street young fellows with blear eyes, feeble
mouths and thin legs; they are victims of
the cigarette habit contracted in childhood.
It is surely the 5ounden duty of parents to
prevent their sons growing UP in this type
In well-regulated family cigaTette-smok-
Ing should be an unforgivable sin, to be Wis
tied with exemplary punishment. If there
be any parental authority left in this city of
progress it should be exerted to stop the
practice. at any rate until the boys are able
10 support themselves and until their frames
are set and their bodily constitution estab-
lished
Emnlnyers- tnn have dntr 70 +hAi- iuya-
nile employees and to the public at large. No
boy who smokes cigarettes can conceal the
habit. His stained fingers betray him. Such
q boy should find no employment in we'll
REGULATE ted Office or store. lie viii not give
satisfaction, for his unfortunate habit is all
the time sapping his mental and bodily
vigor, and discharge based on his habit
may lead to its cure. In early youth there
! is no habit which cannot be eradicated by
| patience and watchfulneSs. Merchants
| and storekeepers have it in their power to
! stop cigarette smoking If they choose.