FEWER WOMEN SMOKERS.

Evening Star, Issue 18254, 19 April 1923, Page 3

FEWER WOMEN SMOKERS.

The smoking habit is growing less common among women abroad. An informal census of the habits of the Oxford woman undergraduate reveals the interesting fact that, roughly speaking, only one in fivo smokes, and that in the 20 per cent, of smokers very few make a habit of the cigarette. They smoke one or two now and then (says the ‘Daily Mail') as a social accomplishment rather than a pleasant amusement. The undergraduate who invites her friends and acquaintances to 9 o’clock cocoa is not expected to provide either “gaspers” or Egyptians. It is no slur on hospitality imt to offer a smoke. Without doubt, smoking is on the decline in Oxford. One reason may bo that the modern unclergraduettc goes to Oxford to prepare for a profession, and is not for the most part rich. But, with full allowance for such local influences, the census strengthen:; the general opinion that women smoke less, and that the fashion is gradually waning in England, as in many other countries. The growing be':ef that smoking is bad for the complexion may be helping to rout the fashion.