SMOKING AMONG SOLDIERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10057, 23 August 1918, Page 5

SMOKING AMONG SOLDIERS

A WARNING. AGAINST EXCESS. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, August 22. Referring to-dav to smoking among soldiersfi. Sir James Allen said that as regards troops at the front his advisers stated that under heavy physical and mental strain tho smoking of a cigarette or pipe was a great relaxation and comfort, but the question had been raised of the danger of issuing an unlimited number of cigarettes to men in hospital l and’ those returning as patients. Sir James Allen remarked that ho was afraid this was undoubtedly true and it had been suggested that patients with lung or cardiac troubles should receive only a limited number. Ho Waa not a medical man, but he thought there was a great deal too much cigarette-smoking amongst New Zealand soldiers,,, and particularly those in,homes or. hospitals, and ho was afraid in some instances it was retarding their recovery. In the interests of tho soldiers themselves, the generosity, of, the public might therefore be checked a-.little, in this direction, for there was ample evident from soldiers that as many as fifty or sixty cigarettes wore; smoked in a clay. Ho did not-want to stop smoking, but would bo glad to see excessive smoking checked. .The will-power of the men to stop, it , themselves might well bo assisted in-their own interests.