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What were the thoughts of a great great uncle who lived during World War I about the cigarette?
Cigarettes were viewed as essential "ammunition" for the war effort.
General John Pershing famously stated that "Tobacco as much as bullets" was necessary to win the war, highlighting the importance placed on providing soldiers with cigarettes.
Smoking was seen as an elegant and sophisticated practice, especially when using a cigarette holder.
This view persisted until the 1960s, suggesting cigarettes were not necessarily stigmatized during your great great uncle's time.
Governments, civilians, and soldiers all recognized the morale-boosting qualities of smoking, in addition to potential medicinal effects after combat and bombardment.
This transformed the economic and social standing of the cigarette during WWI.
Prior to WWI, there had been growing anti-tobacco movements led by organizations like the WCTU and YMCA.
However, the war effort largely overshadowed these concerns, leading to increased cigarette consumption.
"Patriotic" initiatives to send care packages of cigarettes to soldiers were commonplace during WWI, further solidifying the association between smoking and supporting the war effort.
Cigarette cards, which featured collectible images and information, became popular souvenirs and collectibles among soldiers and civilians during the war years.
The cigarette industry experienced significant growth and economic gains during WWI, as soldiers' demand for the product skyrocketed and social attitudes toward smoking became more permissive.
Smoking was often depicted in wartime propaganda and media, portraying it as a symbol of masculinity, camaraderie, and resilience among soldiers on the front lines.
The wartime experience may have normalized and destigmatized smoking for your great great uncle, as it did for many others at the time, leading to a more accepting view of the habit.
Advances in cigarette production and packaging during WWI, such as the development of the modern cigarette pack, helped make the product more accessible and convenient for soldiers and civilians alike.
The wartime stress, trauma, and uncertainty may have led your great great uncle, like many others, to turn to cigarettes as a coping mechanism and source of comfort during the difficult years of the conflict.
The widespread use of cigarettes among soldiers and the general public during WWI helped cement the product's cultural association with masculinity, bravery, and patriotism in the collective memory of that generation.
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