Up in Smoke: A History of Smoking in Australia

An exhibition by the Alstonville Plateau Historical Society in northern New South Wales examines the history of smoking from 1900 to the present, highlighting past social norms and medical practices.

"Smoking was once widely accepted and even recommended by physicians for ailments such as asthma."

The exhibition, titled "Up in Smoke," is held at Crawford House in Alstonville and runs until the end of June. It is a smoke-free event.

Displays and Artifacts

Displays include postcards, tobacco tins, matches, and advertisements featuring doctors promoting cigarettes.

In 1973, the Australian federal government mandated health warnings on cigarette packets. Smoking on domestic flights in Australia was banned on December 1, 1987, with fines for violations.

Personal Recollections

Shirley Harbus, 92, recalled that in the 1940s, her doctor advised her mother to smoke a menthol cigarette to prevent asthma attacks.

John Sim, a society member, noted that doctors were highly respected and their endorsements were used in cigarette advertising.

Former air hostess Barbara Hofmann stated that smoking was considered part of the job's allure and that cigarettes were offered to first-class passengers shortly after takeoff.

Exhibition's Purpose

The exhibition aims to document past practices and social attitudes toward smoking. The society had mixed feelings about hosting the show but decided it was a story worth telling.