Defenders of Tobacco Smoking.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXV, Issue 13, 30 September 1905, Page 12

Defenders of Tobacco Smoking.

Although it is universally admitted that smoking is not a necessity, but only a habit, and a bad habit at that, a great many learned and distinguished men, including physicians and scientists, maintain that it is not an evil, but a positive good. “It is certainly a remarkable fact in the history of mankind,” said a wellknown physician, “that since the fifteenth century a vegetable growth known to botanists as nieotiana tabacum has come into such general use for smoking as almost to revolutionise the social customs of civilised people. It would be difficult to-day to find a quarter of the globe where the use of the plant is not known. “Nevertheless smoking has met with vigorous opposition at times. It has been denounced by papers, from pulpits and on platforms; even reigning sovereigns have set themselves to stamp out the practice. Russia at one time insisted on cutting off the nose of every smoker, and Persia once made it an offence punishable by death. It has been proclaimed against on the Continent in almost every part, and in England King James I.’s ‘Counterblast Against Tobacco' is a lasting memorial of his determination that no ‘puffer of tobacco’ should receive any Crown appointment. “It has been contended, on the one hand, that tobacco is a poison, and every smoker a suicide; wh’le on the other it has been hailed as an aid to longevity, minimising the wear and tear of life that naturally ensue in old age. In spite of all opposition and of every argument raised against it, the use of the soothing weed is a well-nigh universal custom. “That tobacco is not a necessity is readily conceded on all sides, for no sane person could possibly claim that its use is essential to life. Its most devoted friends plead nothing beyond the fact that smoking is a luxury, one which sustains a cheerful brightness and affords an enjoyment out of all proportion to |he smallness of its cost. Complaints against the extravagance of the habit are unreasonable and only to be attributed to wilful ignorance or want of reflection. Many things in daily use are by no means necessary, yet they largely contribute to the enjoyment and pleasures of life. "Thackeray once said: ‘I vow and believe that the cigar has been one of the greatest creature comforts of my life — a kind companion, a gentle stimulant, an amiable anodyne, a cementer of friendship. May I die if I abuse that kindly weed which has given me so much pleasure.’ i “The only objection really worth consideration is that tobacco acts as a poison in the healthy system. On this score a great deal has been put forth which is matter for serious reflection, but other allegations have failed to discriminate between the use and abuse of the weed. It is easy to find similar fault with most things we eat and drink, for more harm has resulted from lack of self-control in these matters than could possibly follow the excessive use of tobacco. “Indeed, there is nothing which, though lawful and right in itself, is not open to the same kind of abuse, and if we deprive ourselves of everything capable of being WTongly used away go money, food and life. “The two common conditions which result from excessive smoking are a characteristic alteration of the rhythm in the beating of the heart and an affection of the eyes which impairs the vision and reduces the power of distinguishing colours. The furred tongue, the chronic irritation of the throat and the accompanying dyspepsia, though less important, are

nevertheless inconvenient, and ought never to be present in a healthy person. ‘ That such harm does result when use passes into abuse is sufficient warning to put every smoker on his guard, and if an occasion arises should prompt him to reduce his consumption of tobacco or lay aside for ever a habit which threatens to impair his health. “The opponents of smoking unfortunately rely upon evidence gathered from these eases of abuse, and the consequence is their allegations do not accord with established fact. If every smoker were being slowly poisoned, deaths would occur at an early age, and their number would markedly increase. There are many things besides tobacco which are highly detrimental when abused, yet the rational use of them is beneficial in the highest degree. "The late Professor Huxley said: 'There is no more harm in a pipe than there is in a eup of tea. You may poison yourself by drinking too mugh tea or kill yourself by eating too many beefsteaks.’ “Dr. Richardson says: ‘ln an adult man who is tolerant of tobacco moderate smoking does no great harm. It somewhat stops waste and soothes. The • ground on which tobacco holds so firm a footing is that of nearly every luxury—it is the least injurious.’ “Dr. Lankester said: ‘I dare not, as a physiologist or a statist, tell you there exists any proof of its injurious influence when used in moderation. The first symptoms of giddiness, of palpitation, of indolence or uneasiness while smoking should induce you to lay it aside. These are physiological indications of its disagreement, which, if you neglect, you may find increase upon you and seriously embarrass your health.’ "Those who are rational smokers will never indulge on an empty stomach; many seem able to do so with impunity; but the practice is bad. They will keep the pipe well cleansed and use only a pure tobacco. Whether smoking a pipe, cigar or cigarette they will abstain from using it to the last extremity, because it is the accumulated products of combustion which form the injurious elements. The rational smoker will never expectorate except on occasion when absolutely compelled, or, if he finds himself falling into this bad habit, being rational, he will cease to be a smoker.”