The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-07-15

els tobacco going to have It's scalp |
addsd 10 the belt OF the prohibitionist
beside that OF the lamented but as
yet not altogether late alcohol?" ia
the question asked by Carrot Smith |
Iin an article In ths current issue OF
Lesliss Magazine"
The writer reaches the conclusion
that while there has been increased
agitation and legislative activity on
this subject of tobacco following the
success OF the drive for prohibition
IsS liquor the efforts OF reformers seek
lsng TO abolish tobacco have no general
support. This opinion IN based on the
results OF the Questionnaires on the
subject ssnt out to newspaper editors
Of the country by the Press Service
Company Of New York City.
Tha questions asked we're:
I'D Do you favor the enactment Of
laws prohibiting the personal use Of
tobacco by aduitsf
(2) In your Judgment does the gen
eral sentiment OF your community
favor such leglsIationf
ts) IL the use Of tobacco personal
liz objectionable 10 your
No arguments accompanied the ques
sious and from their form 1t was I'm.
poasibls for any editor to determine
the attitude OF the questioners.
Out of 12,5iS editors questioned,
7.s4T replied according to the summary
glyen. These editors, II Ii estimated,
represent a combined circulation Of
I21 ,s70,o46. or tile 7,847 editors reply
ling, 1888, or 05 per cent, represent
public sentiment In their communities
rs opposed to anti-tobaeco legislation
Only go editors, or 8 per cent Of
those replying believed there was any
considerable sentiment favorable to
tobacco prohibition There were ia,
or per cent, In doubt, while 20 failed
Ito record their judgment.
Edlters' Judgment Unbiased
SIT In OF special Interest to note
That 500 editors In answering the first
Question, personally favored such
issislstion, although only 30 " them
reported that public opinion also In
vsred the prohibition Of tohncco--a an
ltsdicatton OF the conscientious errois
Imade by the editors 10 distinguish pub.
lie opiHian fr0m their own personal
epinions," the article continues
"rhs highest percentage Of replies
repartiug public opinion favorable to
prHhihitlon Of tobacco came from Utah,
where "a per cent Of the editors
thought the public We're for such =
movement Utah IL tile only state
Which has since adopted an anti.
Cigarette law The result was fore,
cast nv several of the editors who
stated that The Influence ~ the Nor.
asa Church WIS against tobacco This
Asrnlon Church Is also strong III Idaho
which In the other state where the us,
ef tobacco was recently prohibited
but the governor has signed the bill
sust passed, In which the prohhltorS
Legislation IL repealed. In this state
M per cent of the editors estimats
sentiment In their communities ~
against tobacco prohibition, which
neverthsless, Is 9 per cent below th'
average reported opposition, II
'.The legislature of Tennessee som,
weeks ago passed and the governor
has signed bin repeating the antl
cigarette lsw ~ that state. The qnes
tianaairs showed ~ per cent Of III
editors believed the public sgalns
anti.tobacco legislation, The legisln
ture Of Arkansas has also passed
bill repeating Its anti.cigarette law, Il
tails state "a per cent of the editor
reported against tobacco prohibition,
Ar.xsna's Practical Joke
"a bill, introduced In the curren
session of the legislature OF ArIzon
to prohibit smoking In public dlnn
reems sad other public places, wa
Bret amended TO prohibit the consumI
thea in public of peanuts chewin
gum, tea and coffee and then defeate
by the senate. The QUESTIONABLE
returns from that state were 92 pc
ceat no,
I'm Iewa where the nos were 6
per cent hill to repeal the ant
cigarette Law has heen passed an
sigasd by the governor,
"a bin 10 repeal the anti.eigsreti
law 10 Kansas, with 80 per cent mos
ia receiving the attention OF its legi
latare. Last year petition for
referendum IN oregon to prohibit II
ass Of tobacco failed cf sufficient 81
natures to bring the question 10
yets, and s5 per cent Of the edito
declare their public sxainst Legislation
Ia Oklahoma an aRtI-cigsrette bill hi
been reported untaverahls in Il
kouse The editors Of that state +
perred "a per cent against It's publ
support.
.sOutsiae Of Utah. where Morm'