The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1921-05-05
TOBACCO FOES
LOSING GROUND
CANVASS SHOWS LARGE MUM.
BER COMMUNITIES AGAINST
ABOLISHING WEED.

as tobacco going to have its scalp
added to the belt of the probitionist
beside that of the la:nented but as
yet not altogether late alcoholic" 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 the reformers
seeking to, abolish tobacco nave no
general support. This opinion is based
on The results of the questionaires on
the subject sent out To newspaper edi-
tors of the country by the Press serv-
ice Company of New York city.
The questions asked were:
CD Do you favor the enactment of
laws prohibiting the personal use of
tobacco by adults?
(2) In your judgement does the gen.
eral sentiment of your community
favor such legislation?
(3) Is the use of tobacco personal
ly Objectionable to you?
No arguments accompanied the
questions and from their form it was
impossible for any editor to determine
the attitude of the questioners.
Gut of 1858 editors questioned,
7,s47 replied according to the summa-
ry given. These editors, it is esti-
mated, represent a combined circula-
ton 21,S7O,O46. Of the 7,s47 editors
replying, 1898, or 95 per cent, repre-
sent public sentiment in their commu-
mites as opposed to anti-tobacco legis-
lation. Only 260 editors, or 8 per
cent of those replying believed there
was any considerable sentiment favor
able to tobacco prohibition. There
were 174, or 2 per cent. in doubt,
while 20 failed to record their judg-
ment.
ut is Of special interest to note
that $50 editors in answering the first
question personally favored such leg
islation, although only 260 of them
reported that public opinion also fa-
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 a
movement. Utah is the only state
which has since adopted an anti-cig-
arctic law. The result was forecast
by several of the editors who stated
that the influence of the Mormon
church was against otbacco. The Nor
mon 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 prohibitory
legislation is repealed. In this state
SO per cent Of the editors estimate
sentiment in their communities as
against tobacco prohibition, which,
nevertheless, is per cent. below the
average reported opposition.
"The legislature of Tennessee some
weeks ago passed and the governor
has signed bill repeating the anti
cigarette law of that state. The ques-
tionaire showed SO per cent. of its
editors believed the public against
anti-tobacco legislation. The elgisla-
ture of Arkansas has also passed a
bill repeating it's anti-cigarette law.
In this state "a per cent. OF the editors
reported against tobacco prohibition.
"a bill, introduced in the current
session OF the Legislature Of Arizona
to prohibit smoking in publ: dining
rooms, and other public places, was
first amended to prohibit the consump-
ton in public O. peanuts, chewing
gum, tea and coffee and then defeated
by the senate. The QUESTIONABLE re-
turns from that state were 92 per
cent. mo-.
"In 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 bill to repeal the anti-cigarette
law in Kansas with 80 per cent. NOS
| is receiving the attention of its legis-
lature. Last year petition for
referendum in Oregon to prohibit the
use of tobacco failed of sufficient sig
b. b,.;nr fbo r,1aStiop IN a