The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1921-05-27
TOBACCO'S FOES
LOSING GROUND
Canvass Of 7,e47 Editors Shows
1888 Communities Against
AboIishing Weed.
ANTS LOSE THREE STATES,
Utah, Under Mormon Influence, Only
Commonwealth to Adopt Prohibit
ton Measure During Year,


added 70 the belt of the prahihitlpnist
beside that Of the lamented but as
YET not altogether late alcohol?" is
the question asked by Garrett Smith
in an article In the current issue Of
Lesles 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 10 abolish tobacco have no general
support This opinion is based ON the
results of the Questionnalres 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?
te) In your judgment does the gen
eral sentiment Of your community
favor such legislatlonf
(0 Is the use of tobacco personal.
ly Objectionable TO your
No arguments accompanied the ques.
tons and from their form It was I'm.
possible for any editor 20 determine
the attitude of the questloners.
Out Of 12,5iS editors questioned.
g,s47 replied according TO the summary
fa n
represent combined circulation az
2l,sT0,046. OF the 7,s47 editors reply
ing, 1893, or 95 per cent, represent
public sentiment in their communities
as opposed TO anti-tobacco legislation.
Only 260 editors, or per cent Of
those replying believed there was any
considerable sentiment favorable 10
tobacco prohibition. There we're ia,
or per cent, In doubt, while ~ failed
70 record their judgment.
Editors Judgment Unbiased
at Is OF special interest to note
that $50 editors IN answering the FIRST,
question, personally favored such
legislation. although only 2G0 OF them
reported that public opinion also IA.
vored the prohibition Of tnbacco-an
Indication Of the conscientious effort
made by the editors TO distinguish pub.
nc opinion from their own personal
opinions" the article continues.
1.-THE highest percentage Of 7eplles
reporting public opinion favorable "a
prohibition Of tobacco came from Utah,
where AZ 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 Idaho,
which Is the other state where the use
Of tobacco was recently prohibited.
hut the governor has signed the BIN
Just passed, In which the prohibitory
legislation Is repealed In this state
80 per cent of the editors estimate
sentiment IN their communities as
against tobacco prohibition, which,
nevertheless, Is Q per cent below the
average reported opposition
'The legislature OF Tennessee some
weeks ago passed and the governor
has signed a bin repeating the anti
cigarette law Of that state. The aues-
tionnaire showed 93 per cent Of its
editors believed the public against
anti-tobaeco legislation. The lerlsa-
ture Of Arkansas mas also passed a
blll repeating It's anti-clgarette law. In
this state % per cent Of the editors
reported against tobacco prohibition.
Arlzons's Practical Joke
s'"A bill, introduced in the current
session Of the Legislature OF Arizona
to prohibit smoking in public dining
rooms and other public places. was
lfirst amended to prohibit the consump-
9Iop in public OF peanuts, chewing
gum, tea and coffee and then defeated
BY the senate. The QUESTIONABLE
returns from that state were 81 per
cent mo-
SIN Iowa where the NOS were 95
per cent a bill to repeal the anti
cigarette law has been passed and
signed by the governor
"a bin to repeal the antlclgarette
law IN Kansas, with 50 per cent mes,
Is receiving the attention OF Its legls-
Iature, Last year petition for a
referendum In Oregon to prohibit the
use Of tobacco failed OF sufficient sig
natures to bring the question 10 a
vote. and 95 per cent Of the editors
declare their public against legislation.
In Oklahoma an antl-cigarette bill has
been reported unfayorably In the
house. The editors OF that state re-.
ported "a per cent against its public
support
"Outside OF Utah, where Mormon
influence predomlnntes, 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 cOnsld.
cradle extent supported by the peo-
pie"
The friends Of tobacco feel particu-
Iarly elated over this showing, mas
much as 1020-21 was a maximum year
in legislative circles with ~ state leg
feft,rae In session and the tobacco sub