New Britain herald., 1926-07-07
WOMEN AND SMOKING
 IN RIIC

Equal rights for women,' has been the cry insistent for genera tions and victorious. Now the dear ladies have equality before the law. Even a school teacher of feminine persuasion can smoke and 1t is mo- body's business.
 The New York judge, who in q burst Of justice for all regardless Of sex" discharged a New Britain school teacher for smoking a ctgaret while strolling in Greenwich Village, knew his duty and did it like a man. Women are privileged to own property, mako their own living, operate their own automo- piles, wear as much or nearly as few clothes as they think appropri- ate; and may vote, make spell binding speeches and run for office. These modern examples of free and untrammeled womanhood surely have the right 10 smoke in private or in public if they want to. If you don't believe il, ask the New York judge.
 Smoking hy women has taken great step forward during the past ten years. The cigaret manufac- turers report a huge increase in the manufacture and sale Of the white mails" and are pleased 10 add that the popularity of their goods among women customers has helped busi- ness. It is known that multitudcs of modern women smoke cigarets in private, but the habit has not taken form publicly to a great cX- tent as yet. Women of unblcmished character smoke the weed at home, at clubs, in hotel Hobbies and in camp - so we are told - but 1t apparently takes additional courage to strike match and light up on public street, That the custom should abound or get oq to real start in Greenwich Village at least seems appropriate. It is there that the conventions are less rigid than elsewhere.
 A school teacher has as much right 10 smoke a ctgarct or two as any other woman, although few may be so inclined. f the school committee does not wish them to smoke in or near school premises, that is a different matter, and no doubt there will be no trouble in enforcing such a rule. But a school teacher off duty and not near a school building legally has as much right 10 smoke as she has 10 wear trousers. such as campers ire quentIy don the better 10 withstand the bramble bushes. She may even have a legal right to smoke near a school, but the practice wouldn't be advisable.
 We trust that neither the school committee, the superintendent of schools, nor any part or parcel of the civic government generally will take mbrage at the courage dis played by one Of the city's fair eX- poncnts of equality while strolling in Greenwich Village. She was in- sfrumental in setting precedent in the metropolis by proving to the police department that an arrest for feminine pufing does not come within the ken of their duties, Let the fair sex alone This is now a free country. Women who want 10 smoke in public can do SO, the llb- cral-mindcd will aver.
 But there scarcely is probabil- ity that many of them will care 10 take advantage Of the right It re- quircs considerable courage. at least as much as a man needs to walk along Q street with brightly colorcd parasol.
 A woman who smokes while walking or riding in d public street faces the ice of prejudice and cus- tom and must expect uufavorable criticism. Whether the situation will change in the next ten years is probIematical. Most observers to- day, however, would be just as well pleased not to see the bars down too far