Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1921-06-10

(S) Il the use Of tobacco personal
" Objectionable to youf
No arguments accompanied the Ques-
lions and from their form it was i'm
possible for any editor to determine
the attitude Of TIE Questioners.
Out Of 12,51e editors questioned,
7,oz7 replied according to the summary
given. These editors, It u estimated,
represent q combined circulation Of
q $40, O46. OF the 7,047 editors feply-
ing, 1898, or 96 per cent, represent
public sentiment In their communities
a. opposed to anti-tobacco legislation.
Only 200 editors, Or 8 per cent Of
those replying believed there was any
considerable sentiment favorable to
tobacco prohibition. There were 174,
or 2 per cent, In doubt while 20 failed
to record their Judgment
Kdltorx Judgment Unbiased
TT IL Of special interest to note
that go editors In answering the hrst
question, personally favored such
legislation, although only geo Of them
reported that public opinion also IA
versd. the prohibition Of tobacco-an
indication Of the conscientious effort
made BY the editors to distinguish pub
lie opinion from their own personal
spinions," the article continues.
The highest percentage Of replies
reporting public opinion favorable to
prohibition OF tobacco came from Utah,
where - per cent Of the editors
thought the public were for such a
movement Utah u 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 h also strong In Idaho.
which u 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legislation ID repealed. In this state
% per cent Of the editors estimate
sentiment In their communities az
against tobacco prohibition. which.
nevertheless Il 9 per cent below the
average reported opposition.
THE legislature Of Tennessee some
weeks ago passed and the governor
has signed q bill repeating the anti
cigarette law Of that state. The ques.
tionnaire showed oS per cent Of ita
editors believed the public against
antitobacco legislation. The legisla.
ture Of Arkansas has also passed q
BIN repeating its anti-cigarette law. In
this state 81 per cent ef the editors
reported against tobacco prohibition.
Arlzena's Practical Joke
"A bill, introduced In the current
session AZ the llegislature Of Arizona
to prohibit smoking in public dining
rooms and other public places, wal
first amended to prohibit the consump
ton in public Of peanuts, chewing
gum, tea and coffee and then defeated
By the senate. The QUESTIONABLE
returns from that state were 90 PEI
cent no.
"In Iowa whore the nos were *
per cent Z 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 50 per cent nos.
10 receiving the attention Of its legis
lafure. Last year q petition for q
referendum in Oregon to prohibit the
use Of tobacco failed u SUFFICIENT sig
natures to bring the question to 9
vote. and 95 per cent Of the editors
declare their public against legislation
In Oklahoma an anti-cigarette bill hal
been reported unfavorabTy in thu
house. The editors Of that state re
ported o. per cent against its publ.
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 il not to any consid
cradle extent supported by the PEG
pie"
The friends of tobacco feel particu
larry elated over this showing, mas
much as 1820-21 was a maximum yeal
In legislative circles with AZ state leg
| latures IN session and the tobacco sub
| Jet received IN unusual amount o.
| eeasideration..