Travails Of Tobacco

The threat sprang up in 1950, when the first epidemiological studies indicated a correlation between cigarette smoking and lung cancer. The evidence steadily become stronger; in 1957 the US Surgeon General issued a report saying tentatively that excessive smoking appeared to be a factor in lung cancer. In 1964, he issued a stronger warning linking the two; in 1966, cigarette packets were required to carry a warning. Advertising of cigarettes on television and radio was banned in 1971. In 1973, the Civil Aeronautics Board for the first time required commercial flights to have a no-smoking section. Cigarettes were taken out of military rations in 1975.

In 1986, the Surgeon General issued a report on the health effects of passive inhalation of tobacco smoking and of tobacco consumption other than smoking; in 1988, he concluded that cigarette smoking is addictive. In 1993, the Environment Protection Agency blamed second-hand smoke as a health risk; and the President banned smoking in the White House. Clinton is not above smoking: at his 50th birthday two weeks ago he is reported to have smoked a cigar. But that was not in the White House; he was travelling.

Since 1994, the Food and Drug Commissioner has been campaigning to have tobacco products declared a drug; if that happens, he would be able to regulate their consumption just as he regulates the use of pharmaceuticals and narcotics