SMOKING AMONG WOMEN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19803, 19 May 1934, Page 19

SMOKING AMONG WOMEN

STRONG CRITICISM “ UNDERMINING MORALS OF YOUTH” • Strong criticism of the habits of smoking and indulging in cocktails among modern young women was expressed at the annual meeting of the South Canterbury Executive of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union yesterday. The president (Mrs B. E. Evans) said that the habit was one of the most serious things members of the Women’s Division/ as the mothers of New Zealand, had to face. “Nothing is so harmful to Nature as this slow nicotine poisoning,” said Mrs Evans, “and what is more degrading than to see young women under the influance of alcohol? These curses may be only in their infancy, but now is the time to strike and stamp out this monster, which is undermining the lives and morals of the youth of this fair country.” “I do not think we have yet reached the stage in New Zealand where cigarette smoking among women is harmful. but prevention is better than cure,” said Mrs W. Buchan. She read opinions of eminent physicians, pointing out the danger of pre-natal nicotine poisoning in children. Mrs J. O. J. Olliver supported the previous speakers, an<3 said that she had been speaking to a doctor recently on the subject. He was of the opinion that the habit did not have such a hold in the country as in large towns, where women lead a more strenuous life. He had also said that a large number of girls were suffering from nerves, due to smoking The following remit, advanced by the Temuka Branch was carried: “That we view with alarm the increasing habit of cigarette smoking among our young women in consideration of the detrimental effect it has on motherhood, according to views exorcised by i eminent doctors, and urge that something be done to bring these views under the notice of our young women.” It was agreed to forward the remit to the Dominion Executive and to the National Council of Women.