Jump to full article: BBC Online, 2009-09-19
Intro: Doctors in the 17th Century were worried about the dangers of young people smoking, a recently unearthed letter has revealed.
The letter, written in 1606 by Dr Eleazar Duncon, said tobacco was "hurtful" to the nation's youth.
It was found by library staff at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).
The Scottish Parliament will this week debate new proposals to curb tobacco and cigarette sales to youngsters.
Dr Duncon's letter reveals medical professionals were similarly concerned about the issue four centuries ago.
Jump to full article »
Quotes from this article:
[Tobacco] is so hurtful and dangerous to youth that it might have the pernicious nature expressed in the name, and that it were as well known by the name of Youths-bane as by the name of tobacco.
Recently-found letter by Dr Eleazar Duncon which was published in Scotland in 1606.
|