American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1920-07-17
QUOTATIONS ON THE
TOBACCO QUESTION

Editor Citizen:
Dear Sir: II afforded me consider
able pleasure to see in lcte Issue OF
your valuable paper tho resolutions
edopted and presented to the public
against the use of tobacco by COM
mittees, composed of some OF the
most intelligent, progressive ladies
of American Fork city.
Having been an inveterate user Of
the weed" in various forms. for about
so years and having suffered the
pernicius effects Of 1t in many ways
during the long period Of nicotine
domination and servitudc. I think I
ought to be qualified and entitled to
have some say in this matter, so as
to warn others of the injury and dis
ability IL entails upon the mind and
body OF those who indulge in its de-
bilitating use.
Did you ever sleep beside an old
confirmed tobacco user, and inhale
the horrid odor Of his polluted breath.
r. you have, then you are ready with
me to disclaim against all such nau-
seous, disagreeable snoring bed-fel-
lows.
II is absuredly inconguous, never
theless, very amusing and odd, to
hear the frivolous arguments Of some
who defend and even favor the use
Of tobacco. They quote to you some
old man. or men, who, having used
tobacco excessively nearly all their
lives. are still strong and hearty. as
| II their good fortune we're traceable
to the continuous use of the poison
they had inhaled in their systems.
The same arguments are sometimes
used in an endeavor to show. or prove
that long Indulgence In tho use Of
rlcoholic drinks specially favor vitality
and longerity. whereas 1t has been
proved beyong the shadow Of doubt
by long years Of bitter suffering. as
we'll as by well authenticated scien-
tific study and research that both
Of the evils in question are inimical
to the best interests of both soul
end body, and ought to be warred
cgainst and eliminated from modern
life and refined society.
1t is a question, not easy of so
luton. whether tobacco or alcohol
have been the worlds greatest foes.
Because Of the greater and more COM
mon use OF tobacco than OF intoxi-
eating drinks, by old ~ wei as young
we are inclined to think that tobacco
has killed and ruined more precious
lives than alcohol. intrinsically con-
sidered, both stand in about the same
category as far ~ utility is concerned,
one being acclaimed good for prescrv-
ing medical preparations and for
washing the bodies Of sickly people,
the other rs good for curing sick cat
tie and for the determination OF des-
tructive insect life, etc. The late re-
markable increase in he manufacture
and sale of tobacco has been such
that temperance rcformers and statis-
ticians see serious trouble head, un-
less something is done to lessen or
eliminate the evil. To this incident
no doubt. is due the present crusade
against tobacco. When women and
children polute themselves with such
filthy things as tobacco, pipes. cigars
and cigarettes, We think II Is time,
especially for those in years. to say
quit lest they foster the growing evil.
In conclusion VIC feel to say God
speed and prosper the bet,crment leag-
ues of our cities for their untiring
efforts to purify and sweeten society
Long may they live and prosper in
the land. j. c.
Beautiful and inspiring Il the trip
M, Amev.lenn Fork CnuyOu Ia MT