FAIR PLAY FOR NON-SMOKERS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
in, -The smoking habit has spread to such an extent, as videnced by personal observation in London and other large .lies, that it was obvious a point would be reached when— ter or later--a reaction was bound to set in. The univer- lily of pipe and cigarette smoking, with occasional cigars, as produced through this mass-psychology a twofold result :
(a) Utter selfishness on the part of a considerable section of nokers.
(b) A completely mistaken idea on the part of catering, railway it entertainment authorities.
With regard to the former, the moderate and more reason- de smokers deplore the state of affairs as much as the [(lints themselves ; I refer to the selfish habit of smoking tychere regardless of any notice displayed to the contrary- -- nd without considering in the slightest degree whether others particularly women and children) in the vicinity are incon- enienced by it ; while with regard to the latter, the authori- es in question appear to be under the impression that every- ody—man, woman and child—not only indulge in the habit (smoking, but is always smoking. This mistaken idea is par- wularly noticeable with catering firms, some of whom provide 9 non-smoking accommodation at any of their establish- ads, but allow smokers to sit where they please and to puff heir smoke over other customers' food regardless of whether heir vis-a-vis have finished or care for the flavour of tobacco. lee establishments are under the impression that to allow on-smoking customers a breathing space (in a smoke-laden trnosphere) for a duration at midday of front two to three r S is sufficient.
The railway authorities, particularly the Underground- -- me lines are better than others in this respect--allow tidily from one-third to one-fifth of their carriage accommo- ion to non-smokers, or, to put it more plainly, to those -sengers who do not smoke when travelling. Entertainment thorities exercise ;their individual discretion ; several of the eatres, it is good to note, prohibit smoking in the audito- a, but at most music halls, and the majority of cinemas, haze of smoke from the number of cigars and pipes (many Which, are foul) and innumerable cigarettes completely ils the entertainment for non-smokers, who are compelled Sit through this barrage, or, as an alternative, to give up trunizing such places—which is precisely what an increasing Tither of them are now doing.
Let it be said that there is quite a large proportion of
kers who neither smoke when railway travelling or at I times or in places of entertainment ; and undoubtedly uhl be found that if these three classes of moderate smokers added to the already large total of those who do not smoke ails the result would be in the nature of a revelation to the
catering, railway and entertainment authorities. I may add that as regards catering and travel in America and the British Dominions, the regulations concerning smoking are very stringent and are scrupulously observed ; while smoking is prohibited absolutely in entertainment houses, though such houses are full nightly, and I understand that there was no falling off in receipts when this change was brought about.— I am, Sir, &c.,
FRANCIS J. Plin.r.irs
(Hon. Organizing Secretary, N.S.N.S.). 37 Old Devonshire Road, London, S.W. 12.
Previous page
