The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1921-05-27
TOBACCO'S FOES
LOSING GROUND
Canvass of 7,847 Editors Shows
1893 Communities Against
AboIishing Weed.
ANTS LOSE THREE STATES.
Utah, Under Morn on Influence, Only
CommonvIca tn TO Adopt Prohibi-
ton pleasure During Year.

IL iobdCtO EOAllS w liuNt It's SCdlp
added to the belt of the prohibitionist
beside that OF the lamented but as
yet not altogether late alcoholic" is
the Question asked by Carrot Smith
in an article in the current issue of
Leslle'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 missionaries on the
subject sent out to newspaper editors
of the country by the Press Service
Company Of New York City.
The questions asked were:
( ID Do you favor the enactment of
laws prohibiting the personal use Of
tobacco by adults?
I (2) In your judgment does the gen.
eral sentiment of your community
cavor such legislation?
CD Is the use Of tobacco personal
- Objectionable TO you?
No arguments accompanied the ques-
tons and from their form it was i'm
possible for any editor To determine
the attitude of the questioners.
out of 12,51S editors questioned,
T.Si7 replied according to the summary
ysiven. These editors, II Is estimated,
represent combined circulation OF
81 .S70.046. OF the 7,S47 editors reply
ing, 1893, or % per cent, represent
public sentiment In their communities
as opposed TO anti-tObaccO legislation.
Only go editors, or 3 per cent Of
those replying believed there was any
considerable sentiment favorable to
tobacco prohibition. There were la,
or per cent, In doubt while 20 failed
to record their judgment.
Editors Judgment Unbiased
"It is of special interest To note
that 500 editors in answering the first
question, personally favored such
legislation. although only 260 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.
1.-The highest percentage of replies
reporting public opinion favorable 10
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 prohibtOry
legislation Is repealed. In this state
50 per cent of the editors estimate
sentiment In their communities rs
against tobacco prohibition, which
nevertheless, is 6 per cent below the
average reported opposition.
1.-THE legislature of Tennessee some
weeks ago passed and the governor
has signed a bill repeating the anti
cigarette law of that state. The Qucs
tionnaire showed % per cent Of il
editors believed the public agains
anti-tobacco legislation. The legisla
ture of Arkansas has also passed ;
bill repeating its anti-cigarette law. II
this state o. per cent of the editor
reported against tobacco prohibition.
ArIzona's Practical Joke
"A bill, introduced in the curren
session of the legislature of Arizon
10 prohibit smoking in public dinin
rooms aid other public places. wa
first amended TO prohibit the consumI
ton In public Of peanuts. chewin
gum, tea and coffee and then defeate
by the senate. The Questionnair
returns from that state were 81 pc
cent no.
"In Iowa where the nos were
per cent q bill 10 repeal the ant
cigarette law has been passed an
signed by the governor.
a bill 10 repeal the anti-clgarett
law in Kansas, with 50 per cent nos
is receiving the attention of its 1egi
lature. Last year a petition for
referendum I'm Oregon TO prohibit n
use of tobacco failed OF sufficient ST
natures TO bring the question 10
vote, and 95 per cent OF the editor
declare their public against Legislation
In Oklahoma an apti-cigarette bill h,
been reported unfsvorably in Il
house. The editors of that state T
ported o. per cent against its publ
support.
Outside Of Utah, where M0rmC
influence predominates," the artic
concludes, ''the anti-tobacco NOV
ment appears. as in the case of TIE
nessee, Arkansas and Iowa. 10 be lo
ing ground and is not 10 any consl
cradle extent supported by the pc
Pile"
The friends OF tobacco feel partic
larly elated over this showing. ini
much as 1920-21 was a maximum W
=. in legislative circles with ~ state i
latures In session and the tobacco 81
ject received an unusual amount