SMOKING BY BOYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9713, 8 January 1895, Page 3

SMOKING BY BOYS.

TO THE EDITOR. Judging by the large number of boys to be seen smoking in the public thoroughfares of Auckland, as well as other cities in New Zealand, the tobacco habit seems to have got a firm hold upon the rising generation. This is a matter for serious consideration, particularly by those who profess to take a deep interest in the progress and future welfare of the colony, and it is strange that the subject should have apparently been overlooked so long, especially when other countries are adopting measures to suppress an indulgence so injurious to those to whoraT' they look for its future rulers and representatives. < Western Australia is the latest to prohibit smoking by youngsters under 14 years of age, and to make it an offence against the law to sell to any one under that age. Quite a number of the leading States of America have laws in force to this effect, as have also Germany and Switzerland, while both France and 7-ngland have Bills before their respective Parliaments with the object in view. • No defender of the practice by adults would for a moment excuse it in the case of boys, for the poisonous properties of the tobacco plant are so well known. A tobacco manufacturer's trade journal stated thaf'Few things could be more pernicious to boys, growing youths, and persons of unformed constitutions than the use of tobacco in any of its forms." Nearly all those to be observed smoking have the "deadly cigarette" in their mouths, and this is acknowledged to be the most dangerous of all forms of smoking, because nicotine essential oil of tobacco and a most virulent poison—comes into immediate contact; with the mouth, and so much more harm is done to the system than if a pipe were used. Not long ago a number of cadets for the American navy were being medically examined, and were found to have what is called the "tobacco heart," as the result of cigarette smoking. These boys were refused admission in consequence, and thus their prospects for life in this * direction were ruined because of the acquirement of a silly and unnatural habit which they had copied from their elders, in the mistaken idea that it was a manly and proper thing to do. Besides the physical, there is the moral danger in forming the habit of tobacco using. Many a boy has commenced a downward career by smoking, for it often leads to , ■ drinking and other evil associations. Many of the youngsters too can ill afford to spend even a few pence in cigarettes, etc., when they are so wretchedly clad. If they i are taught in early life to be thrifty and provident, ' and to look further ahead of them than they at present do, they will not have to lament, nor will they ex« perience, bad times, such as everyone complains of now, when they have reached man's estate and have become wage-earners and responsible citizens, for they will have by them that which now is being worse than wasted. Money spent in food and clothes *■ instead of in tobacco would make a difference in the appearance of the young Aucklanders that would agreeably surprise many who are wont to comment strongly upon them at present. Pending the time when the Government shall see its way to take the matter up, let all officers connected with the juvenile temperance movement, superintendents of missions to boys, teachers in both day and Sunday-schools, take advantage of every opportunity that offers to speak upon the question, and warn those in their charge against acquiring a habit fraught with so much danger, physically, mentally, and morally.—lam, etc., Mancesteian.