Nostalgia: 1963

According to a report in the East Antrim Times, in January 1963, Rev. HE Anderson stated that the church’s policy on alcohol was total abstinence and should be the same regarding smoking.

He said: “Smokers are more liable to certain diseases. They are more restless, more irritable and more neurotic than non-smokers.”

Rev. Anderson was commenting on a survey which had been carried out into problems associated with nicotine addition.

He told presbytery that clergy were concerned that some congregation members in the district spent as much as £4 per week on cigarettes but gave just one shilling to the church.

“The Presbytery of Carrick has considered the influence of lung cancer according to many authorities on smoking would urge the General Assembly to encourage its members especially young people to consider the diseases caused by smoking.”

He also called on the government to set up clinics to help those who wish to break the smoking habit.