The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-26

customs, which has grown 80 customary In
recent years. European smokers like Gig
arettes. and use them commonly. Il Is
nothing for women on the continent 10
smoke them. IT is indeed quite the custom
at social functions. and boys and men are
indiscriminateiy addicted to their use at
all times and places. In copying European
dress and customs and advancing along the
line OF more liberal morals. cigarettes have
come as a necessary adjunct. and the re-
salt is seen In their increased use in Uncle
Sans domain today.
The position of the more independent so
ciety women toward them is best told by a
prominent leader Of Minneapolis. who was
seen not long ago by the writer She has
travelled extensively for the last fifteen
years. spending at least half of her time
In Europe. She said: 1T is common for the
women in France and Germany to smoke
cigarettes: indeed. dainty holders and
other accompanying appliances for manip-
uiating cigarettes are considered a neees-
sary on many toilet tables. The women
smoke them before and after dinner. and
when reading In their boudoirs. They like
the little harmless things It IL so COM
torting to use them, that l don't see how
we got along without them so long.
smoke them. and am not ashamed to let
anybody see me. II 1t Is a comfort for the
men, and we find 1t 50 for ourselves why
is Il not as right for us 10 smoke as 1t Is
for them?"
This growing use of them ha. brought
about considerable Of a change of opinian
as to their harmful effects until soma or
ganizations OF women have publicly declar-
ed that II was a mistake to hold that they
were so terribly injurious" reformers
claimed THE idea that cigarettes are
made from cigar ends and ether refuse Is
simply absurd" said well known local
dealer the other day. 'In the first place
II is an altogether different kind Of leaf
then, In the cheaper brands, the only ones
in which such cast-ofs material would be
used, II is much cheaper 10 buy the natural
leaf than 10 pay men TO gather up cigar
stubs. The cigarette factories are also
cleaner than the tobacco factories general
ly. for the reason that girls are employed
wherever Possible.
cigarettes are In themselves very HARM
less things and are the miIdest smoke one
can have A clear Havana cigar contains
about per cent. nicotine. while cigarettes
contain on an average about q. per cent.
1t is also a mistake to suppose that they
contain opium or other harmful drugs or
that the paper wrapper Is 'doctored. The
United States government chemical test In
1875 disclosed nothing more than that the
tobacco was the purest in the market and
the paper free from. injurious chemicals"
The brands of cigarettes are rs varied In
number as the tastes OF the smokers Wo-
men favor the expensive Egyptian ard
Turkish varieties. which are made IN thoss
countries. but. however, generally with
American tobacco. although the leaf is
grown 10 some extern. In the suitan's do
minion. But most Of these brands are ac
tualiy made In the United States. the same
as Brussels carpets are turned out by the
millions Of yards In Chicago and New
York The use OF these high priced cigar
cites some OF which cos. cents each. Is
becoming more common among men. as
we'll as women: but there is a correspond
ing decrease emong boys for the reason
that they are not 90 cheap "a they used to
be The installation ct the war tax last
year resulted IN generally raising the price
OF cheap brands from 70 10 cents a pack
age which Is beyond the average boys
purse But there are many OF the smaller
stands that sIill sell some varieties for S
cents package. and around these Is near
" always seen boy investing his scanty
savings.