The Owosso times., 1921-05-27
T0BACCO'S FOES
LOSING GROUND:
Canvass of 7,847 Editors Shows
1888 Communities Against
Ab0IiShing Weed.
ANTS LOSE THREE STATES.
sn' Under Mormon Influence, Only
commonwealth to Adopt Prohibi-
t'on Measure During Year.

Je' not altogether late alcohol?" ia
tne question asked by Garrett Smith
IN an article In the current issue of
Leslie's Magazine"
Inc writer reaches the conclusion
that while there has been increased
agitation and legislative activity on
the subject of tobacco following tbe
success of the drive for prohibition
or 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 the country by the Press Service
Company of New York City.
The questions asked were:
l) Do you favor the enactment of
laws prohibiting the personal use of
tobacco by adults?
20 In your Judgment does the gem
eral sentiment Of your community
favor such legislation?
(S) Is the use of tobacco personal
~ Objectionable to you?
No arguments accompanied the uues-
t1ons and from their form 1t was i'm
possible for any editor to determine
the attitude of the questioners.
Out Of 12,51S editors questioned,
7,S47 replied according to the summary
given. These editors, 1t Is estimated,
represent combined circulation OF
21,S70,046. 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 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
1T Is of special interest to note
that 500 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
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,
'of tobacco was recently prohibited
but the governor has signed the bill
liust passed, in which the prohibtory
LEGISLATION Is repealed. In this state
30 per cent Of the editors estimate
sentiment in their communities as
against tobacco prohibition, which,
nevertheless, Is 9 per cent below the
average reported opposition. NAs
'The legislature Of Tennessee some
weeks ago passed and the governor
has signed bill repeating the anti
cigarette law Of that state. The ques-
tionnaire showed 93 per cent Of its
editors believed the public against
anti-tobacco legislation. The legisla-
ture of Arkansas has also passed
hill repeating Its anti-cigarette law. In
this state "a 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
frst amended to prohibit the consump-
t,on I'm public of peanuts, chewing
o,rr. tea and coffee and then defeated
nv the senate. The QUESTIONABLE
yeturps from that state were 81 per
cent no.
am Iowa where the nos were %
nor cent a bill to repeal the anti
cigarette law has been passed ana
signed by the governor.
"a bill to repeal the anti-cigarette
law in Kansas. with so per cent nos
i,s receiving the attention OF Its legis-
,ature. Last year a petition FOR
-a,orendurn in Oregon to prohibit the
,,se Of tobacco failed Of sufficient sig
natures to bring the question to
vote and 95 per cent Of the editors
declare their public against iegisiatlon.
T. oklahoma an anti-cigarette bill has
,h..n reported unfavOrably In the
Sorse The editors Of that state re-
norted "a per cent against its public
support. ,o.o ,,oror
influence predominates," the article
nanc,rdes "the anti-tobacco move
,nsnt appears. as in the case Of Ten
nassee Arkansas and Iowa, to be los
Ing ground and is not to any eonsld-
nrsh,s ans extent supported by the peo-
pie" o,.ooo foo, portIcu.
larry elated over this snOM,mS mOT,mam "as, ysar
,m u legislative circles with AZ state reg
" a, sossion and the tODacco sun