A Total History of Bans on Smoking Tobacco
Michael Martin, when announcing his unyielding ban on smoking, asserted Ireland was the first country to initiate such extensive actions to interdict tobacco. Like other claims he made, he was utterly wrong.
History has suffered bans and prohibitions of smoking tobacco instilled by tyrants and totalitarian dictatorships, all of which have entered and exited in due course. Even before Ireland’s suppressive smoking statutes, the populace of Europe suffered the no smoking laws of the infamous Third Reich, first introduced by decree of the Nazi’s in the late thirties.
Strangely, alongside his oft related stories of atrocities and horrendous behavior, Adolph Hitler was emotionally involved in a nationwide ban on tobacco. As head of the powerful Nazi party, he prohibited the use of tobacco in German post offices, universities, Nazi offices and military hospitals. The ruling, founded in 1941, was based on findings by the Institute for Tobacco Hazards Exploration.
A passionate anti smoker, Hitler crusaded against tobacco and spoke often for the cause of anti-smoking. He used his personal funds to sponsor research of the perils of smoking tobacco. Little wonder, given the nature of his regime, it supported the premise that smoking was evil and should be avoided by the Aryan race. It is amazing that much of the study carried out during this dreadful period of history make up the rationale claimed today by those trying to obtain stringent and oppressive bans on smoking. In a moment of explosion, for which he was well known, the Fuehrer declared that tobacco was “the wrath of the Red Man against the White Man”
The Bureau Against the Dangers of Alcohol and Tobacco penned the stringent ban on tobacco in 1939. Following in 1942, the faux Institute for the Struggle Against the Dangers of Tobacco, wrote an even stronger statement. The Nazi’s first conceived the encompassing term, “passive smoking,” to describe second hand smoke. This oppressive system of government imposed on the people of Germany a set of extensive rules, regulations and restrictions, far more than any nation had seen before. Hitler himself took particular interest in this area and, quite often, personally oversaw the drafting and implementation of anti smoking guidelines..
Toward the end of the twentieth century, scientists and researchers noticed that second hand smoke, resulting from smoking tobacco, was a growing danger. As a recourse, advertising for tobacco in both air and print media, began with “courteously making aware” campaigns to retain the customer base. In spite of harsh and severe punishment, even death, for anyone disregarding posted bans on smoking, smokers are still around and thriving. Bans on smoking have often stalled or disappeared entirely throughout eons, even though such bans multiplied rapidly after prohibition of alcohol failed in America.
Bans and restrictions toward smoking tobacco and consuming alcohol were not looked on with support by the now-developing industrial world in the nineteenth century. In the United States, however, at the end of the century, movements of moral crusaders were outraged by alcohol and tobacco consumption. The people of America were beginning to demand definitive action be taken by both federal and state lawmakers and enforcers. This fervor peaked in 1920 with a constitutional amendment to the American constitution, allowing the prohibition of alcohol.
American believed that the new prohibition would be best “for their own good” and, at first, hesitantly accepted it. They quickly became freed from illusion and resented the oppressive restrictions. Rich and powerfully placed conspired together with those of the underworld in a doomed effort to keep alcohol flowing. Bars where alcoholic beverages are sold illegally, “speakeasies,” and hip flasks became the symbol of utter defiance.
Bans on smoking, now effective in some fifteen states, parallel the sales of cigarettes. By 1927, however, the state of Kansas decided to end its ban on cigarette sales. Except for having crusaders feel good, the Eighteenth Amendment, making the sale, manufacture and transportation of alcoholic beverage illegal, was not really that effective. Apparently, an attempt to social engineering may lead to disastrous outcomes. Prohibition was eventually lifted in 1933. However, the same scenario will not apply to the ban of smoking because of the “second hand” considerations.
In the United States, laws have been passed that are designed to specify particular areas for cigarette smokers. In 1975, Minnesota became the first State to prohibit smoking by the general population. The Minnesota Clean Indoor Act, requiring certain restaurants to provide their customers with non-smoking areas. However, bars were excluded from this law. San Luis Obispo, a California community, was the first to ban all smoking in restaurants, bars and other indoor facilities. Passed in 1990, the San Luis Obispo law was the first of its kind.
In today’s hectic world, it seems like the entire globe has chosen to ban the use of tobacco or is seriously considering such a plan. But, unfortunately, the most serious threat to health, second hand smoke or “passive smoking” has not been addressed by any bans. Ban Smoking
Dale R Smith – Teacher and graphic artist in civilian and military environs. I have written instructional manuals for aircraft, missiles, oil exploration, heavy machinery and more. I have been art director for trade journals and newsletters in the plastics industry. No Smoking
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