Men of the World War II era surely remember that when there was a 10-minute break among soldiers, the sergeant or officer in charge of a formation of men often said, “Smoke ’em if you’ve got ’em.”
And among sailors, the familiar direction at break time was “The smoking lamp is lit.”
What were they talking about? In those days, it seemed that a majority of young men smoked cigarettes, and permission was being given to “light up.”
Many women, military and civilian, began to smoke, too, considering it “sophisticated.”
That was before many Americans became widely aware of the terrible toll in bad health and, indeed, shortened life, that the use of tobacco was taking through heart disease, emphysema and other ills.
But it still came as something of a surprise, over the years, that many American smokers quit smoking – and many others just didn’t “start up.”
There are still lots of U.S. smokers – and still lots of health problems as a result. But travelers in Europe have noted that it seems smoking is even more prevalent there. And many visitors to China and other Asian countries have observed that it seems more Chinese men smoke there than anywhere else, with the possible exception of Egypt.
But now there are major efforts even in Communist China to discourage smoking. Why?
It is reported that in China, smoking is linked to at least 1 million deaths every year!
So a major effort is being made there to discourage smoking by banning it in public places.
Many smokers throughout the world have tried to stop smoking and have found it difficult to do so. Nicotine and the smoking habit are strong. But many people have been wise enough to avoid serious health problems and bad habits just by not beginning to use tobacco.
There are many serious diseases that mankind, and womankind, throughout the world may suffer. There are commendable medical efforts to immunize people and otherwise fight many ills that reduce the quality and length of life. But surely, one of the best ways to protect the health of people throughout the world is very simple: Just don’t start smoking!