Robert N. Proctor Quote

“One topic that has only recently begun to attract attention is the Nazi anti-tobacco movement. Germany had the world's strongest antismoking movement in the 1930s and early 1940s, supported by Nazi medical and military leaders worried that tobacco might prove a hazard to the race. Many Nazi leaders were vocal opponents of smoking. Anti-tobacco activists pointed out that whereas Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt were all fond of tobacco, the three major fascist leaders of Europe -- Hitler, Mussolini, and Franco -- were all non-smokers.”

~ Robert N. Proctor

"The Anti-tobacco Campaign of the Nazis: A Little Known Aspect of Public Health in Germany, 1933-45", BMJ, Vol. 313 (1996), pp. 1450-1453, available at http:

Ratings and Comments


Robert, Sarasota

I don't see the point - Stalin killed 20 million Russians

Bob, Eugene, OR

Did Stalin kill them with second-hand smoke? Never trust a tea-totaling, vegetarian nonsmoker! In fact, drown them before they breed!

Elizabeth, Los Angeles

Unlike the present regime in power of the same persuasion, at least the Nazis would have most likely supported stem cell research.

E Archer, NYC

The anti-tobacco movement is gaining popularity again in the US and Canada. This should serve as a warning to do-gooders everywhere. This is just another indicator of nationalist-socialist inroads into supposedly 'free' countries.

Ken, Allyn, WA

Elizabeth, the duly elected government in power here and now has less in common with the Nazis than it does with the Democratic party of forty years ago. If you think JFK or LBJ were Nazis, so be it. If the Nazis really were in power, I'm sure they'd be knocking on your door looking for a research subject for stem cell research. Living forever at any cost is very Nazi like project. Do not make light of the evil of the Nazis, and do not exagerate the flaws of those you don't like. It is a dangerous game that blurs the line between right and wrong and promotes moral equivalency where there should not be any.

E Archer, NYC

Sorry, Eric, I was just responding to David's messages wherever I saw them. I'm done.

Luis Figueroa, Guatemala

Smoker or not, Stalin should be in the company of the other tyrants.

Anonymous, Reston, VA US

so what... these facists had many strange views... personally, keep your smoke to yourself and do not subject me to it and you are then free to do it all you want... but since it costs society dearly, society shoudl tax the living hell out of it...

Mike, Norwalk

the 'A' from Reston, me too - so what ! ? ! Ken, the socialists (communist to fascist - etc.) running the current regime don't need to pick up people from a door to door search, they have the military, the VA and pharmaceutical companies protected by the AMA and other government agencies (a more refined death squad, terrorism, research system than Germany's Nazis) to fulfill those purposes. Again, what or where is the lawful nexus that gives anybody (personally or in concert) god like powers to forbid the private consumption of tobacco by others? As long as innocent 3rd parties do not have to participate in the second-hand smoke - so what ? If the once land of the free and home of the brave were still a law abiding nation (the laws of nature and of nature's God - natural law), with representatives being limited to a scope of "LIFE" (murder), "LIBERTY" (The power of acting as one thinks fit, without any restraint or control, except from the laws of nature) and "PROPERTY' (perfected allodium, larceny, etc.), under the Constitution, the despots would have no say concerning an individuals consumption of large soft drinks or tobacco; AND, there would be no socialist costs associated to the innocent 3rd party sovereign individual (personal responsibility would allow consequences of one's follies)

jim k, austin tx

Bob, Eugene OR, well said, especially that drowning part. Right on target E Archer.

jim k, austin tx

Some folk never learn. There was a picture of an emaciated cat on Yahoo that was on a vegan diet from some idiots who owned the cat. Once the cat was given a meat diet at the vet's he recovered.

cal, Lewisville, tx

Our president's is following this same road worrying about what school children eat.

Ron w13, Or

In the United States of America. In the Front Row and In the Pulpit of Peace, We do not care if you dance, drink, Smoke or play Cards. The Cackling is form the Back Row ! Get the point of who is for PEACE ! Any other inhumane act upon another human, fornication included is unacceptable Within natural laws of nature. Though given their own space, and not domination creates cohabitation. Stay and right control of moral uprightness with humility. Tribes are Tribes ! leave them and theirs alone !! Please. Some will tell the mouse on the moon not to eat cheese ! Tabaco is medicinal !

Vexari, VA

Nothing more than the elite protecting their property while maximizing profit..

Martin Foster, Centurion

Collectivist's will use any, control of populace ploy, as a thin edge of the wedge to impose further restrictions on populations.
Starting with anti-smoking legislation; progressing to anti-gun ownership and drug laws which privately owned prisons have a vested interest in.

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