The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-06-09
TOBACCO'S FOES )
LOSING. GROUND
Canvass of 7,847 Editors Shows
1888 Communities Against
Abolishing Weed.
ANTS LOSE THREE STATES.
Utah, Under Mormon influence, Only
Commonwealth to Adopt Prohibi-
tion Measure During Year.

added to the belt Of the prohibitionist
beside that Of the lamented but as
yet not altogether late a1cehol7" 10
the question asked by Garret Smith
In an article In the current issue Of
Neslies 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 -Ahe country by the Press Service
Company OF New York City.
The questions asked were:
O 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 legislation3-
(3) Is the use of tobacco PERSONAL.
ly Objectionable to you?
No arguments accompanied the ques-
tions and from their form 1t was i'm
possible for any editor to determine
the attitude Of the questioners.
Out Of 1888 editors questioned,
7,S47 replied according to the summary
given. These editors, It is estimated,
represent combined circulation Of
2l,SIO,046. or the 7,S47 editors reply
Ing, 1898, or 95 per cent, represent
public sentiment in their communities
as opposed to anti-tobacco legislation.
Only 26O editors, or 3 per cent Of
those replying believed there was any
considerable sentiment favorable to
tobacco prohibition. There were 174,
or per cent, in doubt, while 20 failed
to record their judgment
Editors Judgment Unbiased
'Tt is Of special interest to note
that $50 editors In answering the first
question, personally favored such
legislation, although only 26O Of them
reported that public opinion also IA
| vored the prohibition Of tobacco-an
indication Of the conscientious effort
made by the editors to distinguish pub
lie opinion from their own personal
! opinions" the article continues.
"The highest percentage OF replies
reporting public opinion favorable to
| prohibition Of tobacco came from Utah.
where AZ per cent Of the editors
thought the public were for such a
movement. Utah Is the only state
which has since adopted an anti
cigarette law. The result was fore
cast by several Of the editors who
stated that the influence of the Nor
mon Church was against tobacco. The
Mormon Church Is also strong in Idaho.
| which Is the other state where the use
OF tobacco was recently prohibited,
but the governor has signed the bill
just passed, in which the prohibitory
legislation Is repealed. In this state
30 per cent of the editors estimate
sentiment In their communities as
against tobacco prohibition, which,
nevertheless, is per cent below the
average reported opposition.
"The legislature OF Tennessee some
weeks ago passed and the governor
has signed I. bill repealiny the anti
cigarette law Of that state. The ques-
tionnaire showed 93 per cent of it's
editors believed the public against
anti-tobacco legislation. The legisla-
ture Of Arkansas has also passed a
bill repeating it's anti-cigarette law. In
this state 94 per cent Of the editors
reported against tobacco prohibition.
Arizona's Practical Joke
"A bill, introduced in the current
session Of the legislature Of Arizona
to prohibit smoking In public dining
rooms and other public places, was
first amended to prohibit the consump
tton in public Of peanuts. chewing
gum, tea and coffee and then defeated
by the senate The questionnaire
returns from that state were 92 per
cent no.
IN Iowa where the nos were 95
per cent bill to repeal the anti
| cigarette law has been passed and
signed by the governor.
| "A bill to repeal the anti-cigarette
law in Kansas, with 80 per cent nos
Is receiving the attention of its legis-
lature. Last year petition tor n
referendum in Oregon to prohibit the
use OF tobacco failed Of sufficient up.
natures to bring the question TO n
| vote, and 80 per cent Of the editors
declare their public against legislation
In Oklahoma an antl-cigarette bill has
been reported unfavorably in the
house. The editors Of that state 70.
ported 94 per cent against Its public
support.
| Outside Of Utah, where Mormon
influence predOminates," the article
concludes, "the anti-tobacco move.
ment appears, as In the case of Ten.
nessee. Arkansas and Iowa, to be los
Ing ground and Is not to any consId.
cradle extent supported by the peo-
pie"
The friends Of tobacco feel partIcu.
larly elated over this showing, Ipas.
much as 1920-21 was a maximum ven,
In legislative circles with AZ state leg.
latur<;s ID session and the tobacco sub.
tect received an unuaual amonnt ~