Tim Coyle
Project #5

Smoking Etiquette

          In the 1930's and 40's a much larger portion of the population smoked than does today. For this reason smoking was much more socially accepted. Whereas today smokers are constantly being looked down upon and accused of harming others with their second hand smoke, in the past it was not considered polite to object to anothers smoking habits. In the 1990's it might be considered bad etiquette to smoke in the home of a non-smoker, but back then hosts were expected to supply ashtrays and even cigarettes or cigars for all of their guests. Smoking was also much more accepted in public places such as stores, and restaurants. As Emily Post put it, "those who smoke outnumber those who do not by a hundred to one ... [so] they ... must learn to adapt themselves to existing conditions ... and when they come into contact with smokers, it is scarcely fair that the few should be allowed to prohibit the many from the pursuit of their comforts and their pleasures (Post 37)." I agree with Elissa Aaronson that Post was the premiere expert on etiquette in the first half of this century. Check out Elissa's project on raising babies to learn more about Post's views on proper etiquette.

          Only the most inconsiderate things a smoker could do were considered bad etiquette during the 30's and 40's. When at another person's home this included putting a cigar or cigarette out on something that might be damaged, setting one down somewhere and letting it burn, causing a burn hole in any other way, or ashing in the wrong place (such as a plant). Conversely it was expected that any good host or hostess would provide a plethora of ashtrays for their guests. It was only considered bad manners to smoke at a host's dinner table if the host did not light up first. In fact most people provided matches and cigarettes at every place setting when they entertained guests for dinner. Similarly a sickroom visitor would be considered rude if he or she smoked unless the patient suggests it or is smoking theirself. Other good smoking manners included not entering a host or hostess' room with an already lighted cigarette, as well as not answering the door for guests with one. The only other rules of smoking etiquette were common courtesies such as not blowing smoke into the face of someone who isn't smoking and making sure to immediately return a borrowed book of matches. Today smokers are constantly forced to check for no smoking signs or ask another's permission to light up, but during the 30's and 40's it was a smoker's world and the habit was accepted in almost any situation and setting.


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