The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1921-05-31
TOBACCO'S FOES
LOSING GROUND
Canvass Of 7,847 Editors Shows
1893 Communities Against
Abolishing Weed.
ANTS LOSE THREE STATES.
Utah, Under Mormon Influence, Only
Commonwealth to Adopt Prohlbi-
ton Measure During Year.

"Is tobacco going to have its scalp
added to the belt Of the prohibitionist
beside that Of the lamented but as
yet not altogether late alcohol" Is
the question asked by Carrot Smith
In an article in the current Issue Of
Leslie's Magazine"
The writer reaches the conclusion
that while there has been Increased
agitation and legislative activity on
the subject Of tobacco following the
success of the drive for prohibition
Of liquor the efforts Of reformers seek
ing to abolish tobacco have no general
support. This opinion is based on the
results Of the questionnaires on the
| subject sent out to newspaper editors
Of the country by the Press Service
Company Of New York City.
The questions asked were:
(1) Do you favor the enactment Of
laws prohibiting the personal use Of
tobacco by adults?
(2) In your judgment does the gen
eral sentiment of your community
favor such legislation?
(3) Is the use Of tobacco personal
ly Objectionable to you?
No arguments accompanied the Ques-
lions and from their form 1t was i'm
possible for any editor to determine
the attitude Of the questioners.
| Out Of 1858 editors questioned
7,S47 replied according to the summary
given. These editors, 1t Is estimated
represent a combined circulation OF
81. S7O,O46. OF the 7,S47 editors reply
Ing, 1888, or 95 per cent, represent
public sentiment in their communities
as opposed to anti-tobacco legislation
Only 260 editors, or 8 per cent OF
those replying believed there was an.
considerable sentiment favorable t
tobacco prohibition. There were ia
or Q per cent, in doubt, while 20 failed
to record their judgment.
1T Is Of special interest to not
that $50 editors in answering the frs
question, personally favored sucl
legislation, although only 260 Of then
reported that public opinion also fa
vored the prohibition Of tobacco-a
indication of the conscientious effor
made by the editors to distinguish pull
lie opinion from their own persona
opinions" the article continues.
1.-THE highest percentage Of reptile
reporting public opinion favorable
prohibition Of tobacco came from Utal
where AZ per cent Of the editor
thought the public were for such
movement Utah is the only stat
which has since adopted an ant
cigarette law. The result was for
cast by several Of the editors WI
stated that the influence Of the Mo
mon Church was against tobacco. TT
. Mormon Church Is also strong In ldah
which Is the other state where the u!
Of tobacco was recently prohibite
but the governor has signed the b
lust passed, in which the prohibition
legislation Is repealed. In this sta
80 per cent of the editors estima
sentiment in their communities
against tobacco prohibition, whic
nevertheless, Is 8 per cent below Il
average reported opposition.
.The legislature of Tennessee sor
weeks ago passed and the govern
has signed a bill repeating the an
cigarette law of that state. The qut
tionnaire showed 90 per cent of
editors believed the public agalr
anti-tobacco legislation. The legis
ture of Arkansas has also passed
bill repeating its anti-cigarette law.
II this state "a per cent Of the editt
q. reported against tobacco prohibition
re ArIzona's Practical Joke
;" "A bill, introduced in the cure
session Of the legislature Of Arizo
49,. to prohibit smoking in public DIM
- rooms and other public places, "
~ first amended to prohibit the consun
al ton in public Of peanuts, chew
gum, tea and coffee and then defeat
n by the senate. The questlonna
II. returns from that state we're 90 |
We cent no.
80 In Iowa where the nos were
per cent bill to repeal the al
cigarette law has been passed {
ut signed by the governor.
"A bill to repeal the anti-cigare
pms law in Kansas, with SO per cent me
~. Is receiving the attention Of its LEI
Iature. Last year a petition for
referendum in Oregon TO prohibit
use Of tobacco failed Of sufficient
natures to bring the question tC
use vote, and 80 per cent Of the edit
declare their public against legislat
In Oklahoma an anti-cigarette bill
been reported unfavorably In
house. The editors Of that state
-. ported "a per cent against its pu
II, support.
"Outside of Utah, where Mon