The matter of encouraging abstinence from tobacco was very appropriate. If this becomes widespread it would be very suitable, but through encouragement and motivation to quit.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1902 ca., to Ibn-i-Abhar -- AB11645)
Smoking: encouragement, freedom, and the care of the body
smoking
Editorial introduction
The Báb forbade tobacco outright; Bahá’u’lláh did not repeat the ban in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, though He came to loathe the habit and gave it up entirely; ‘Abdu’l-Bahá called it filthy, injurious, a waste of money and time, and asked that abstinence be spread by encouragement rather than compulsion. Out of that history comes a distinction that matters far beyond cigarettes: the difference between what is prohibited and what is strongly discouraged. Smoking is left to the conscience of the individual, it has nothing to do with firmness in the Covenant, and new believers are not to have it added to the hurdles they already face. A community thus learns to encourage change without making another person’s habit a test of spiritual worth. Epictetus asked that before yielding to an attractive pleasure one pause and picture the aftermath as well as the enjoyment [1], a discipline of attention that fits the counsel here. The subject leads naturally to the firmer prohibitions on alcohol and drugs, to opium, and to the cleanliness and refinement that the body is asked to keep.
Selected passages
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Lawh-i-Tanzih va Taqdis (=Lawh-i-Dukhan), 1906-Dec-11, to Baha'is of the world -- AB00109)
And cease smoking tobacco for it is forbidden to all the peoples of the world.
(The Báb, Letter to Qurrat al-'Ayn (Chihriq), 1264-03 (Chihriq) [1848-Feb], to Tahirih -- BB00412)
Indeed, the harm and detriment of this profitless and useless smoke is clear and evident. It completely weakens bodies, brings laxity and lethargy to the nerves, and prevents the brain from higher perceptions. Time is wasted in its consumption and money needlessly spent. It neither quenches thirst nor removes hunger. A wise person will certainly abandon this terrible harmful thing and always pursue what brings health and wellbeing.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907-Jun ca., to Muhammad Husayn Vakil -- AB01305)
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
Concerning smoking; it is not forbidden in the Baha'i 355 teachings and no one can enforce its prohibition. It is strongly discouraged as a habit which is not very clean or very healthy. But it is a matter left entirely to the conscience of the individual and not of major importance, whereas the use of alcohol is definitely forbidden and thus not left optional to the conscience of the believer.
LG#1189 (19 Apr. 1941 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
Smoking has nothing to do with firmness in the Covenant. Baha'is are advised not to smoke for reasons of health and hygiene, not because of any spiritual reasons. We naturally cherish every hint and advice from 'Abdu'l-Baha regarding our conduct, but as He has not forbidden this we must leave such person free to decide for himself.
LG#1190 (9 Aug. 1944 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
He feels that we should not lay stress, to new Baha'is on the necessity of giving up smoking, especially as this is purely optional, and many of the Baha'is still do smoke. There are many things in the Teachings that require a stiff effort on the part of a new believer, and we should not add to the hurdles at the very beginning, so to speak.
LG#1191 (4 Dec. 1954 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
Continue exploring
For thought and discussion
Questions to carry forward
- What forms of encouragement help a person examine a habit without feeling that belonging is at stake?
- How does the distinction between prohibition and discouragement change the responsibilities of both an individual and a community?
- What does Epictetus’s pause before pleasure add to the compilation’s discussion of attachment and freedom?
- How might care for the body coexist with humility about judging another person’s spiritual life?