Improvement Era, November 1927

Improvement Era Vol. XXXI NOVEMBER, 1927 No. 1 Tobacco and Humanity By L. Weston Oaks, M. D. JUDGING from the mass of literature to be found dealing with the subject, one might be led to conclude there is virtue on both sides of the question of tobaccoism. Volumes have been pro- duced to extol as well as to condemn it. Reading much of the mat- ter excites one's curiosity as to the motive actuating each writer; and one is compelled to include it, along with politics and weather predictions, in the category of subjects upon which every person, informed or otherwise, is entitled freely to express himself. Men from many stations of life have offered written opinions and ob- servations. Among these we find educators, physicians, inventors, manufacturers, tobacco venders, lawmakers, ministers, novelists, poets, humorists, and even kings. Some of this material is deserving of highest praise, because of the incentive stimulating its production; and some of it is unspeak- ably contemptible for the same reason. We have no condemnation for the man who renders an honest opinion, even though it be in error; but the individual who will deliberately preach his fellows into retrogression and mental stupefaction, that his earthly fortunes may fatten, is a felonious menace to humanity. A desire to crystallize and make more available material of im- portance from these many sources is responsible for this further ad- dition to matter already in print. All of us number among friends we hold most dear at least a few who have become addicted to the use of this narcotic drug. Likewise, none of us would for an in- stant consider saying or writing anything to wound or offend their feelings, usually sensitive upon the subject. Hence, it is understood that whatever is offered in this paper is set forth in an earnest effort to present the truth to our boys and girls, that they may more clearly