The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1954-05-08
Why Not To Smoke
By Helen Henley

SAFER SMOKING, by Clarence William LIED WI. V~e"
York: Exposition Press. 100 PIP. $500
Although Dr. Leb declares in his preface The writer
emphstiesy not advocating total tobacco abstinence
stronger for abstinence could hardly be formulated than
this book implies.
The title Safer Smoking" seems a misnomer II one
accepts al all the various medical physical theories per-
tanning 10 health then tobacco here stands indicted
ndous threat 10 health And the very act Of smoking
eaters physical appetite how smoker expect TO
divorce the indulgence from its consequences?
Dr. lieb here tackles the problem Of smoking its
ground detailing the physical ills which medical statistics
indicate often from smoking. This list Of ills include
deemed dangerous But the value OF the
hook lie in merely soaring people away from to-
This physician has viewed the problem in its entirety
charging the smoking in part 10 the tension
the has dared suggest that the Ultimate solution
may be found in deep spiritual and Fundamental values
Yet as physician Dr. Leb has based his case largely
medical data His almost clinical approach 10 the subject
emphasizes his statement that III has been the authors pvr
pose 10 the tobacco problem the standpoint Of
educator and not that Of reforme He comedies the
pleasures" and virtues" that find in smoking, but
makes these pale indeed when compared with the ills
that smoking Even with such precautions he
qests safer smoking he makes smoking appear any
thing but Safe
But he shows that the problem involves much more
whether any individual chooses TO smoke and take
his system the Notwithstanding ingredients
contained Of them considered dangerous
roisons incidentally Dr. lieb has docvmened his material
with extensive bibliographyl
The problem for thing the general health
OF nation which, he reports has increased its cigarette
usage 500 per during the past IS which
have the population increase only about IS cent
Much Of this in Smoking, Or. Lieb feels be
attributed approximately sloooooooo being spent an
nuay cigarette Advertising
Aside from brewers distiers and winners he says,
tobacco companies the only Iargesess advertisers who
promote potentially heaihmParng product without any
apprecisbIe medical governmental lnferfeSsnee.
less important aspect but too rarely thought
off, recognized by Dr. Leb when he brsveY asserts Ger
tsiny nonsmokers have inaenabIe rights which
should be respected namely freedom from iobaecosmoke-
saturated air and eough-piereing overtones.
OF major importance is the possibility that tobacco adj
among adoleseens contributes TO development Of
juvenile deinquen This theory is attributed TO Dr. H. F.
Robb whom Dr. Leb quotes saying that the adoeseents
dependence The drug may mask symptoms Of nvtri'ons
deficiencies TO the degree that the youngsters do NOT de-
veop character physical and moral stamina TO the extent
they would If they did not IT,"
I'VE cannot consider smoking Of cigarettes only from
bioogie point Of view adds Or. Robb The smoking OF
cigarettes also political economic psychare and moral
problem especially with youth between the OF IL and
10 years"
Again we must say that. although his plea is avowedy
smoking the statistics and histories
Or lieb sets forth form eloquent for not smoking
ALL could be wished for by any parent adviser who
striving help young people avoid slavery to the tobacco
habit Or. Leb makes plain that whether vice addiction,
tobacco tends make slaves OF its victims"
To responsible for the welfare Of youth he writes
LET all parents do everything power by preeep
bribne il necessary, 10 INFLUENCE THE YOUNG NEVER
TO SMOKE THE FIRST CIGARETTE"
In discussing preeavtion TO help avoid certain
widely pubczed disease he addresses young people them
selves:
ITO THE YOUNG AND THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER
SMOKED, would say Never smoked Continue your abb
You'll regret IT, And when you reach Iife's
meridian you'll look younger feel younger and have the
prospect Of better health and longer life
Recognizing that Many smokers are problem people
require patient and skilled treatment in the unfangng
complicated kens of their character kinks DR.. Lied
ssks, rs much hope that smokers in general may
things with deep spiritual and fundamental
satisfy their cravings solve their Illustrations and
relieve their nhbitons?"