OCR Text |
Show Use of Tobacco by Minors. The use of tobacco by children. Its cause nnd prevention Is discussed In the Medical Summnr). Whilst most states have laws forbid ding the sale of tobacco to minors. It Is a notorious fact that such laws are universally ignored. Tho parent, teacher and h)slclaii are to blame Tho parent, that he does not thor oughly train his child, tho tescher, that he does not better supervlto the conduct of his pupils, the doctor. In that ho doc not warn the parent, who perhaps errs himself. School bo a may be seen any day on their way to school with books un der their armt, and a chaw of tobacco or a cigarette In their mouths Oc catlonall) llttlo girls may be obicrve Indulging In the seductive cigarette on tho streets Whnt will be tho Inevitable In-evitable results? Tho best that could bo hoped would bo numerous tobacco tilers, but worto might bo feared, and vcr much worte Imagined. Thv evil Is evident, ami the remed) Is provided, but law It useless till en forced on violation. Tho dealer will ' not obey It till public sentiment de- mands It, the child doet not choose to submit to II. the nartnt Is neallnent. tho pupil Is Indifferent or tllenl. and what la left for tho child' salvation but ictlun upon tho part of the guard lans of humanly. If wo act, wo movo thankless The parent will not appreciate, appre-ciate, lliu dealer will be made an enem) , ard Ibo children will hato us nt they become men 1'attor' and prlett. lawyer nnd laymen will sneer It wp attempt to (nfurce tho laws liven but n few of our own body oll tic may be depended upon to act. eltli er b) precept or concerted movement Few physician are even good enough politician to ask n councilman or rei-retentatlve rei-retentatlve to vote upon a measure IVJVIimoiv lu luitr tt-,ti n iiivmbuiv The effort against (he evil Is neeeaan rtty, for tho lime, nlong the line nt Individual effort To do good, we must practice, act, and preach It our "smoking" friends will close their eye whllo puffing plpo or elgnr, they , will find they enrnnt tell whsn they "havo fire " What foolishness, to ' spend money nnd watte health to watch tmoku curl. Horace (Ireoley defined de-fined a cigar nt "a roll of tobacco with flro at one end and a fool at tho olh er," and wo think him mare than half right. If tbo mo of tobacco b) tho adult bo such Idiocy, what shall wo say of Ha consumption by tbo minor? |