Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1917-12-12
RAPS TOBACCO
Willmar, Mimi, .

May l here briefly state my views
on the war tobacco fund?
Many people are thus now encour-
aging the use Of cigarettes and smok-
ing tobacco who not long since held
the cigarette, especially, an abomi-
nation. Certainly many soldiers as
we'll as home boys who never have
used tobacco will be encouraged to
begin it's use by this Infamous (tho
on the part Of some) well-meaning
tobacco propaganda having its
source, and animus, probably, in the
tobacco trust. For myself, I never
at any time was inclined to make
much distinction between cigarettes
and other tobacco. 1t is all tobacco,
all inimical to the health of the in
dividual, be he soldier or civilian, and
all hindrance to national prosperity
and success in war or peace.
I am indignant and Disguised at
all this silly, wicked talk about to-
bacco being necessary for soldiers
welfare. What are our soldier boys
men or "sisses", that they must be
furnished with the means of stupe-
flying their mental and moral facul-
ties, and lessening their physical ef-
ficiency merely for their temporary
gratfcation7 I have three boys in
the army and I consider this tobacco
advocacy or encouragement an injury
to them and to me, if it were possible
to persuade them to use the vile,
poisonous, destructive stuff. I have
no patience, and want none, with
those who say it is only little mat
ter and insult the intelligence of a
thinking public by comparing it to
the un-hygienic or unhealthy prac-
tees Of wearing a moustache, chew
ing gum, over-eating, etc. Every
well-posted person knows that to-
bacco in sufficient quantities to pro-
duce a physiological effect is evil and
only evil. Everyone can see by OBJ
servation and reflection that it is
very bad manners to breathe out a
poisonous smoke which others must
inhale whether they will or MOTTO
say nothing Of the effect on the smok-
er himself on the membranes Of
nose and throat, on the nerves and
on the heart. And no one uses it
except to the extent and for the pur-
pose Of producing physiological
effect. Until the system is nicotin-
lied tobacco produces extreme nau-
sea.
If it is necessary that soldiers
have tobacco as a medicine let hon
est skilled physicians so prescribe it.
If it is necessary to make a smoke
to overcome the stencil borne hy
winds from the battlefield, there are
plenty Of other leaves to smoke al
ways available. It would certainly
be great blessing to many soldiers
who use tobacco if they were unable
to get it, and would be welcomed by
many who have sense and cando1
enough to recognize and acknowi-
edge it to be useless, expensive and
injurious, and would be glad to quit
In conclusion, let me urge all phil
anthropists, patriots and Christians
especially, to do all in their power /:
discourage the use of any kind Of to.
bacco. The Italians in a few day:
lost all and more than they had beer
fighting for for a year. We will los'
all and more than we have been talk
ing and writing and praying for TO:
many years-the abolition Of the en-
Shaving tobacco habit, if we encour
, age or even tolerate the accurse'
thing, and, what is worse, we will b
responsible for it.
n n H0vr