St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-06-10
THE CIGARErrE EVIL.

The war on cigarettes that is being
waged by the common council of Chi
cago, assisted by the press generally,
will probably result in some good. even
though it may not lessen the evil of
tobacco-smoking. Some people are
laboring under the impression that a
crusade is being waged against the use
of tobacco in given form. Such pre-
sumption is not warranted by the facts.
It's not against tobacco that the recent
ordinance was aimed, but against the
adulterants used almost invariably by
the manufacturers Of cigarettes. The
ordinary cigarette contains jimSon
weed. opium in large quantities, tannan,
valerian and other deleterious drugs.
1t is difficult to cure cigarette smoker
of the habit. Even DR.. Kelley and
other specialists who profess to have
specific for alcoholism confess that they
are powerless to cure man of inebriety
who has become addicted to the cigar
cite. it is habit that induces not only
physical but moral degeneracy. A man
loses not only control of his physical
powers, but his moral perceptions be-
come dulied and his intellect sluggish.
The dire results Of opium eating and
smoking are perceptible in degree in
the confirmed cigarette smoker. He
Graves the narcotic at all times; occa-
sionally it obtains the mastery over
him. and he will obtain it at any cost of
manhood. He will beg or steal for it.
He will even pick up half-smoked stub
ends from the cutters of the streets in
order to satisfy his appetite. Nothing
will serve as substitute. The offer of
a prime Havana cigar to a cigarette
fiend is an insult. 1t is not tobacco that
he Graves. although he may think it is,
but the deadly drugs he has been SO
long introducing into his system.
We have laws regulating the sale of
poisons by druggists, but none which
apply to tobacconistS. Yet there is more
injury caused by the sale of adulterated
cigarettes than there has been since the
making of drugs was first known. The
boy or the man who smokes his first
cigarette feels an exhilaration that is
absent when he smokes a pipe or
cigar. The latter are sedatives; the
former is eXcitant, and produces nerve
tension which, agreeable as diSsipa-
ton at first, soon becomes necessity,
just as the fumes of the juice of the
poppy become indispensable to the
opium flend.
1t is but recently that the attention
of the medical fraternity has been di-
rected to this evil. To the credit of the
profession. the majority, have united in
denouncing the use of narcotics in this
form by men generally. and especially
by the youth. There are q few, how
ever, who set a perniclOus example by
themselves INDUCING in the practice.
They plead the necessity for an ex-
citant. Of course, it is their own affair
if they contract a perniciouS habit,
knowing full we'll its evil results. But
their responsibility is far greater than
that which rests upon ordinary mortals.
If physician drinks liquor, smokes
cigarettes. or participates in any other
form of dissipation, the unthinking
public is apt to conclude that the habit
is harmless. ard may therefore be in
dulged with impunity. 1t is with a
doctor much as it is with minister.
The latter may participate in enjoy
mepts that, so far as he is concerned.
are perfectly harmless, but which, If
participated in by some others not as
we'll balanced. would be apt to lead to
excuses not only harmful but demor-
alizipg. 1t is this that leads the clergy
generally-an very properly, toto
abstain from card playing, theater-
going, and many of the popular sports
of the day.
b 1t is questionable if the prohibition of
the sale of adulterated cigarettes in Chi
cago will work an immediate and sub
stantial reform. 1t may lead manufact-
urers, however.to use fewer adulterants.
and thus reduce the evils caused by
their use. 1t may. also, prevent others
from falling into the habit who other
wise might fall easy victims. That the
law will be evaded does not admit of
question, but for the little good it will
accomplish it will be heartily welcomed.
If the evil cannot be cured it should be
mitigated to as large degree as posi-
bic, and the new ordinance is step in
the right direction. Public sentiment
could contribute largely towards the
success of the reform, and all business
men should refuse to employ cigarette
smokers or to transact any business
with them.
WHERE was President Willrich when