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Chapter 1—Effects of Tobacco Use
What It Does to the Body
—Tobacco is a slow, insidious poison,
and its effects are more difficult to cleanse from the system than
those of liquor.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:569
.
Tobacco using is a habit which frequently affects the nervous
system in a more powerful manner than does the use of alcohol. It
binds the victim in stronger bands of slavery than does the intoxi-
cating cup; the habit is more difficult to overcome. Body and mind
are, in many cases, more thoroughly intoxicated with the use of
tobacco than with spirituous liquors, for it is a more subtle poison.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:562
.
Tobacco Users Guilty Before God
—Tobacco, in whatever
form it is used, tells upon the constitution. It is a slow poison.
It affects the brain and benumbs the sensibilities, so that the mind
cannot clearly discern spiritual things, especially those truths which
would have a tendency to correct this filthy indulgence. Those who
use tobacco in any form are not clear before God. In such a filthy
practice it is impossible for them to glorify God in their bodies and
spirits which are His. And while they are using slow and sure poi-
sons, which are ruining their health, and debasing the faculties of
the mind, God cannot approbate them. He may be merciful to them
while they indulge in this pernicious habit in ignorance of the injury
it is doing them, but when the matter is set before them in its true
light, then they are guilty before God if they continue to indulge this
gross appetite.—
Counsels on Health, 81
.
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Resistance Lowered and Restorative Powers Weakened
—
God’s healing power runs all through nature. If a human being
cuts his flesh or breaks a bone, nature at once begins to heal the
injury, and thus preserve the man’s life. But man can place him-
self in a position where nature is trammeled so that she cannot do
her work.... If tobacco is used, ... the healing power of nature is
weakened to a greater or less extent.—
The Medical Ministry, 11
,.
54