The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1920-10-20
,ures, motoring, and hunting.

buC inc demand CXlStS and there is
abundant evidence to prove that to-
bacco answers this demand more uni
versally than any of the other soda
tivcs mentioned, that it reaches larg-
cr mass of people, ana that it accom-
of after effects.
We have made national prohibition
fact, and wisely SO; we have sur
rounded habit Informing drugs with the
most stringent laws that legislators
have been able to enact. In our zeal
for reform let us not allow the pend
ulum to swing too far and attempt to
prohibit the use of tobacco without a
come to occupy.
cannot use tobacco, there are some
who should not use it, there are some
who use it to excess and who suffer in
consequence. There is on the other
hand a large army of moderate toba-
eco users, who indulge for years with
cut arprecably bad physical effect and
with good mental effect. Each indi-
vldual must be his own judge as to
whether he can use tobacco safely and
also as to the amount he can tolerate
There can be little doubt that to-
bacco helps to ease difficult situations
IN civil life as we'll as at the front. Il
provides an outlet for many indivi-
duals, readily available, a sort of
safety valve.
You are held up by traffic conges.
ton on the way to your office; you puff
your cigarette faster while waiting
for the line to move; your decision is
necessary on some important under
taking; you think it over with the aid
or soothing smoke. Following din
ncr your host passes cigars, and un-
der the influence of tobacco YOU feel
less restraint, more at ease; YOU con-
verse better and an atmosphere of
wcll-being and good fellowship is in
spired.
Consequently the almost universal
character Of the habit is not difficult
to explain. That it's use to excess
leads to harmful effects there is no
doubt. There is no general rule which
can be laid down for all to follow
Each individual knows as rule when
he is exceeding the amount he NAV
safely take. 1t would appear that it
is the abuse of tobacco instead of it's
use which is responsible for the harm
1T may do.
Before attempting to legisate it
out of existence let us analyze the
origin of it's enormous demand. Re-
ducc the tension under which we live.
relieve the fierce struggle for cxis-
tence, the croWding, the jostling, the
striving for advancement, for gain;
provide means Of relaxation, of re-
creation, and we shall have gone far
to supply substitute.
The tobacco habit may be likcncd in
many respects to the tea and coffee
habit. Each may do harm in some
cases; each may also be a source of
comfort and solacc in others. Under
ideal surroundings and environment
the demand for each would probably
disappear. In themselves they cannot
be classed as foods, or even as neces-
ltics. Many people wouG nc doubt
be better off without them. But for
large mass of people they have
come to ocupy an importan place.
Tobacco is used by all races from
the most savage to the most civilized.
I'm the frozen arctic regions as well
as in the tropics, and by the rulers Of
nations as we'll as the lowest subject.
If you class tobacco as a form of
dissipation, at least you must grant
that 1T is mild form of dissipation
If you would deprive the individual Of
his tobacco he would be justigcd in
making the same demand regarding
your tea or coffee.
Before attempting to prohibit it's
use, take into consideration the social
and economic conditions which are in
great measure responsible for it's de-
mand. Correct these conditions, re-
licvc this demand or provide substitu-
tcs and then advocate if you will the
prohibition Of tobacco.