The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1921-07-21
ANTS LOSE THREE STATES.
Utah, Under Mormon influence, Only
Commonwealth to Adopt Prohibi-
tion Measure During Year


"1s tobacco going to have it's 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 Garret 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
of the country by the Press Service
Company of New York City.
The questions asked we're:
ID 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 Sucn leSlSlatlOn!
(3) Is the use Of tobacco personal
ly Objectionable to you?
No arguments accompanied the Ques-
tiOns, and from their form it was inn
possible for any editor to determine
the attitude Of the questioners.
Out of 12,518 editors questioned,
7,S47 replied according to the summary
given. These editors, it is estimated,
represent a combined circulation OF
21,87O,O46. Of the 7,847 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 2 per cent. in doubt while 20 failed
to record their judgment.
Editors Judgment Unbiased
"It 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 .42 per cent of the editors
thought the public were for such
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 ldaho,
which is the other state where the use
of tobacco was recently prohibited,
hut the governor has signed the bill
lust passed, in which the prohlbltory
LEGISLATION is repealed. In this state
80 ner cent of the editors estimate
sentiment in Their communities as
against tobacco. prohibition, which,
nevertheless, is 6 per cent below the
average reported opposition.
"The legislature of Tennessee some
weeks ago passed and the governor
hos signed a bill repeating the anti
cigarette law, Of that state me cues
tionnaire showed 93 per cent OF IT'S
editors believed the public against
anti-tobacco legislation. The leg1sla-
tura of Arkansas has also passed
bill repeating it's anti-cigarette law. In
this state "a per cent of the editors
renorted against tobacco prohibition
Arizona's Practical Joke
"A bill, introduced in the currene c1!