510 BIOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS 



of tobacco affects the brain enough to impair scholarship. 

 Dr. Meylan, physical director at Columbia, reaches these con- 

 clusions: 



1. Smokers averaged eight months behind non-smokers in their 

 advancement. 



2. Scholarship standing of smokers was distinctly lower. 



3. Use of tobacco by students is closely associated with lack 

 of ambition, application, and scholarship. 



Another investigation shows that: 



1. Smokers average lower in grades. 



2. Smokers graduate older. 



3. Smokers grow more slowly in height and weight. 



4. 95 per cent of honor pupils are non-smokers. 



Dr. Andrew D. White, who for twenty years was president of 

 Cornell University, says, " I never knew a student to smoke ciga- 

 rettes who did not disappoint expectations, or to use a common 

 expression ' kinder peter out.' I consider a college student who 

 smokes as actually handicapping himself for his whole future 

 career." Dr. White was not a fanatic and used tobacco him- 

 self after he reached middle life. 



In spite of such evidence boys certainly will note many success- 

 ful men, perhaps their own fathers, who do not seem to be harmed 

 by smoking, and, forgetting the difference in age, will draw wrong 

 conclusions. Tobacco would do less harm if it were more harm- 

 ful, so that its effects could be .more easily traced. 



For such prospective smokers there are other arguments. 



1. Tobacco certainly becomes a " habit." Do you want to be 

 " held " by a useless and probably harmful drug? 



2. Tobacco is offensive to many people. Are you so selfish as 

 to gratify your taste to the discomfort of others? 



3. Tobacco decreases your personal attractiveness. The odor 

 of breath, hands, and perspiration, the stains on fingers and 

 teeth, do not add to your good looks. 



4. Tobacco is expensive. A regular- smoker spends more than 

 he realizes, on his indulgence. Don't you think you could have 

 more fun for your money? 



