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)
O steadfast one in the Covenant! The letter arrived and its contents caused joy to the hearts and indicated the attainment of abundant grace. Utmost joy was obtained from the establishment of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, and likewise from the abandonment of opium cultivation and tobacco use, for opium, except in treating known illnesses, causes the destruction of souls and eternal death of man, and likewise from smoking tobacco there is no result or fruit except wasting time and acquiring illness. Praise be to God that the friends of that region have abandoned all these things.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Haydar Ali Kamali Sarvistani -- AB03683)
Concerning opium which you wrote about - the user, buyer and seller are all deprived of divine grace and bounty, and by explicit divine text it is forbidden. The wine drinker is a hundred thousand degrees better than the opium user. It was extremely condemned in the Holy Presence, such that whenever opium use was mentioned, the Blessed Face would change. It is forbidden to this degree, unless someone buys and sells it for medical treatment, as used in pharmacies solely for treating illnesses. Prevent and forbid your bedfellow from using opium as much as you can, that perhaps God willing he may become aware and find deliverance from this great calamity. Otherwise, "God will seize him with the grasp of One mighty and powerful." I am not satisfied with separation, but he himself knows he will witness a greater affliction than this. My wish is that, God willing, the friends will gradually abstain even from smoking tobacco, let alone opium.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1904 ca., to Mulla Yusuf-i-Nakhai (Khusif) -- AB00695)
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)
I will always pray: "O God! Protect Thy servants from drinking wine and prevent them from intoxicants. O Lord! Remove this affliction from the face of the earth until no trace of intoxicants remains and no mention of smoking tobacco is heard. Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1908-Aug-12, to Carrie C Haines -- AB06945)
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?