The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1921-05-31
TOBACCO'S FOES
LOSING GROUND
Canvass Of 7y847 Editors Shows
1888 Communities Against
Abollshino Weed
ANTS LOSE THREE STATES.

Vv'sss'"V Weo&
ANTS LOSE THREE STATES.
Utah, Under Moswson Influence, Only
Commonwealth - A6ept Prshibk
tsea Msasvsv Daring YeaA
Is tobacco going to have its scalp
addsd - tha belt o6 the prohiblt1eaist
bsads that Of the lamented but %
yet not altogethes late alcehelr' -
the question a&neA hy Garrst Smith
In IN artich u the current issue Of
Lssli6s 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
ef liquor the efforts u reformers seek
ing to abolish tobacco have no general
support. This opinioa is based on the
results Of the missionaries on the
subject sent out b. 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 adultsf
(2) In your judgment does the gen.
eral sentiment Of your community
favor such legislation1
90 Is the use of tobacco personal
~ Objectionable to your
No arguments accompanied the Ques-
lions and from their form it 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, it is estimated,
represent a combined circulation Of
21,870,046. OF the 7,847 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 to
tobacco prohibition. There were TIA,
or = per cent. In doubt, while % failed
to record their judgment.
Editors Judgment Unbiased
ut is of special interest to note
that $50 editors in answering the first
question, personally favored such
legislation, although only 28O Of them
reported that public opinion also IA
vored tho prohibition Of tobacco-an
indication Of tho 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 ~ per cent e the editors
thought the public wees for such a
movement. Utah IL 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 tho 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,
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 6 per cent below the
average reported opposition.
1.-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 90 per cent of its
editors believed the public against
anti-tobacco legislation. The legisla-
ture Of Arkansas has also passed q
bill repeating it's anti-cigarette law. In
this state 81 per cent Of the editors
reported against tobacco prohibition.
Arixona'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
irst 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 81 per
cent no.
"In Iowa where the nos were IS
per cent q bill to repeal the anti
cigarette law has been passed and
signed by the governor.
"A bill to repeal the anti-cigarette
law in KansaA with 50 per cent NOS,
is receiving the attention Of its legis-
lature. Last year q petition for q
referendum in Oregon to prohibit the
use Of tobacco failed Of sufficient sig
natures to bring the question to q
vote. and 05 per cent Of the editors
declare thsir public against legislation,