SMOKING AND HEALTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17189, 17 June 1919, Page 9

SMOKING AND HEALTH.

NOTABLE INVESTIGATION.

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE.

An international committee of eminent specialists is being formed under the presi- ; dency of Dr. Alexander Lambert, one of I the leading New York physicians, and | formerly head of the American Red Cross j in France, to make an impartial investi- j ' gation into the effects of tobacco on health and efficiency. Sir William Osier, who is said to be devoting himself to special studies of the heart, is reported to have joined the committee. Anions the other members are : —Professor Cannon, of Harvard; Professors Farnum. and Fisher, ,of Yale; Dr. '0. H. Rogers, chief physician of the New York Life Insurance Company, and Dr. E. ! L. Fisk, head of the Life Extension In- j stitute. It is intended to include industrial leaders an well as economic and | medical specialists on th/ committee, and ! the exact effects of tobacco will be deter- > mined by scientific experiments on I students, athletes, business leaders, and j working men. | Dr. Fisk, speaking on behalf of tho committee, said: —''An authoritative analysis of the tobacco situation has never been made. The question is now being; forced on public attention, and the public, therefore, should have the true facts. When our investigations are completed we aha',l submit a report covering all phases | of the tobacco question, and people can determine intelligently what they want done. . •'We shall divide the committee into sections devoted to physiology, clinical medicine, hygiene, and economics. the extent of the world's land given to tobacco culture in relation to the world 8 food problems will be considered, along with the purely physical effects of tobacco on smokers, and even the relation of smoking to the spreading of fires." . Professor Roman, of Syracuse University, whose book, "Nicotine Next," suggested that tobacco should follow alcohol in being prohibited for general use, will be a member of the committee, but smokers will also be included, so that the Sersonal attitude will play no part in the nal report. ( \ i