1 66 ELEMENTARY BIOLOGY 



taken. In every one of the measures of growth the non- 

 smokers were ahead of the smokers, and the regular smokers 

 were behind the irregular smokers or beginners. 



It is not at all likely that the smaller, lighter, weaker boys 

 were the ones to take to smoking in larger proportions. The 

 differences shown by these records must be, at least in large 

 part, due to the effects of smoking. When the records of 

 physical growth for the different groups were placed along- 

 side the records of scholarship, another striking fact was 

 brought out. This is shown in Fig. 58. 



' Tn 

 Weight 



In 

 Height 



Chest 

 Measure 



Lung 

 Capacity 



FIG. 57. Relation of smoking to physical growth 



The first column shows the average advantage of non-smokers (indicated by white space) 



over occasional smokers (indicated by shaded space). The second column shows the 



average advantage of non-smokers over regular smokers. These measurements are from 



the physical-training department of Yale University 



Similar records kept at Amherst College and at Columbia showed 

 similar differences between smokers and non-smokers. 



In some of the investigations the ages of*the students in each class 

 were also compared. It appears that in any given graduating class 

 the smokers are on the average older than the non-smokers. This prob- 

 ably indicates the extent to which smoking possibly in association 

 with other unhygienic habits retards a young person in his progress. 



Whatever differences of opinion there may be as to the 

 harmfulness of smoking for adults, there is no difference 

 of opinion as to its effect on the young. For this reason 

 the government of Japan some years ago prohibited the sale 

 of tobacco in any form to minors, and some of our states have 

 done the same. The United States Military Academy and 

 the United States Naval Academy forbid the use of tobacco 



