A History of Smoking: From Medical Advice to Social Norm
It may seem unthinkable today, but once upon a time cigarettes were prescribed by doctors for common ailments. Shirley Harbus, now 92 years old and living in Yamba, remembers a time when doctors believed smoking was therapeutic. “My mother didn’t smoke normally, but the doctor said when you feel an asthma attack coming, have a cigarette, a menthol one,” she recalled. “It was dished out like medicine.”
In 1973, the federal government mandated that manufacturers include the warning “smoking is a health hazard” on cigarette packets, but it still took decades for the message to filter through to the addicted public.
Now, the Alstonville Plateau Historical Society in northern NSW is exploring the history of smoking through an exhibition of artefacts from 1900 to the present. Society member John Sim explained that the group had mixed feelings about the show at first. “But we decided it was a story that had to be told about past practices and social attitudes,” he said.
Some might find those practices and attitudes surprising. “We have ads where doctors were quoted advertising particular brands of cigarettes,” Mr Sim said. “The doctor was the most respected member of the community.” Displays reveal how businesses used smoking products as marketing tools. “Matches were given out by lots of motels and business companies, just available in the foyer for people to take,” Mr Sim added.
One memory that Shirley Harbus can now laugh about is getting six straps of the cane for smoking a cigarette in the Whiporie Public School bathroom in 1944. “It did the job, because I never smoked again,” she said.
Smoking in the Air: A Flight Attendant’s Perspective
From take-off, to landing, smoking was a part of life for many. Barbara Hofmann, who worked as an air hostess in the 1960s and ’70s, said smoking added to the job’s allure. “To be cool and wear that uniform, it was presumed it looked better with a cigarette.” One of Ms Hofmann’s duties with Trans Australian Airlines was to prepare a tray of cigarettes for first-class passengers. “Very shortly after take-off, passengers could light up a cigarette, and you could smoke until the light went back on at the end of the flight,” Ms Hofmann told ABC North Coast. “The whole aircraft was full of smoke.”
She can’t remember passengers complaining about the smoke. “There most certainly would’ve been people who didn’t smoke and hated it, there’s no doubt about it, but I don’t remember it being a big focus. It was an area of life that I don’t think will ever be repeated. I remember St. Moritz because they had a gold tip and that looked beautiful.”
It was not until December 1, 1987, that smoking was banned on domestic flights in Australia, with passengers risking a $500 fine if caught.
The Social Norm of Smoking
As the exhibition reveals, smoking was the social norm. Shirley Harbus agreed. “You’d be the odd one out if you were male and didn’t smoke in those days,” she said.
The exhibition will run until the end of June. This time around, it’s a smoke-free event. Visitors can explore the evolution of smoking habits, from medical advice to social norms, and see how far society has come in understanding the dangers of tobacco use. The display includes vintage advertisements, historical documents, and personal stories that highlight the cultural impact of smoking over the decades.
Key Exhibits and Insights
- Vintage Advertisements: These displays showcase how cigarette companies marketed their products using trusted figures such as doctors, creating a false sense of safety around smoking.
- Historical Artifacts: Items such as cigarette packs, matchboxes, and airline promotional materials provide a tangible connection to the past.
- Personal Stories: Accounts from individuals like Shirley Harbus and Barbara Hofmann offer a human perspective on the prevalence of smoking in daily life.
- Educational Materials: Informational panels explain the shift in public perception and the role of legislation in reducing smoking rates.
The exhibition serves as a reminder of how societal attitudes and practices have evolved, and it encourages visitors to reflect on the impact of smoking on both individual health and public well-being.
