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A Soldier's "One Comfort"
Soldiers smoked cigarettes for many reasons.
An obvious appeal was their practicality when compared to other forms of tobacco consumption. They were small and lightweight, quick to light, and could be easily stored to protect them from the dampness of the trenches.
Diary of Lt. Richard Rayner, June 28th, 1915. Collections CCGW.
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The calming effect they had was probably the most important factor. Cigarettes offered a potent form of stress relief to nerves which were severely strained by prolonged time at the front. They were equally effective at relieving some of the discomfort experienced by soldiers at the front.
"I have some stiff neck & headache. Laid around all day long received boots from Uncle Ben. [There were] cigs in [the] parcel."
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While Lieutenant Rayner, a soldier with the 3rd brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, rarely details the contents of his parcels in his journal, on this occasion two items were noteworthy enough to be mentioned: a new pair of boots and cigarettes. The inclusion of cigarettes signals just how valued they were to soldiers.
A Soldier's "One Comfort"
Soldiers smoked cigarettes for many reasons.
An obvious appeal was their practicality when compared to other forms of tobacco consumption. They were small and lightweight, quick to light, and could be easily stored to protect them from the dampness of the trenches.
Diary of Lt. Richard Rayner, June 28th, 1915. Collections CCGW.
Tap to flip to back
The calming effect they had was probably the most important factor. Cigarettes offered a potent form of stress relief to nerves which were severely strained by prolonged time at the front. They were equally effective at relieving some of the discomfort experienced by soldiers at the front.
"I have some stiff neck & headache. Laid around all day long received boots from Uncle Ben. [There were] cigs in [the] parcel."
Tap to flip to back
While Lieutenant Rayner, a soldier with the 3rd brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, rarely details the contents of his parcels in his journal, on this occasion two items were noteworthy enough to be mentioned: a new pair of boots and cigarettes. The inclusion of cigarettes signals just how valued they were to soldiers.
Fighting boredom and masking odors
Cigarettes also relieved a frequent enemy of soldiers at the front: boredom. Smoking a cigarette while performing fatigues or during free time helped to pass the days. Sharing cigarettes in these moments offered an opportunity for soldiers to socialize with their comrades which aided in promoting and maintaining unit cohesion.
They were also useful to mask odors. The strong smell of tobacco smoke, which was practically inescapable in the trenches, was preferable to soldiers when compared to the smell of the unburied, decomposing bodies which surrounded them or the smell of the unwashed inhabitants themselves.
Image: “Two Canadians using a hole made in Boche barricade near Lens, as an outdoor smoking room.” September, 1917. Library and Archives Canada. Ministry of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada fonds. a001827, no. 3396765 (O-1861A).
A Soldier's "One Comfort"
Soldiers smoked cigarettes for many reasons.
An obvious appeal was their practicality when compared to other forms of tobacco consumption. They were small and lightweight, quick to light, and could be easily stored to protect them from the dampness of the trenches.
Diary of Lt. Richard Rayner, June 28th, 1915. Collections CCGW.
Tap to flip to back
The calming effect they had was probably the most important factor. Cigarettes offered a potent form of stress relief to nerves which were severely strained by prolonged time at the front. They were equally effective at relieving some of the discomfort experienced by soldiers at the front.
"I have some stiff neck & headache. Laid around all day long received boots from Uncle Ben. [There were] cigs in [the] parcel."
Tap to flip to back
While Lieutenant Rayner, a soldier with the 3rd brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, rarely details the contents of his parcels in his journal, on this occasion two items were noteworthy enough to be mentioned: a new pair of boots and cigarettes. The inclusion of cigarettes signals just how valued they were to soldiers.
Image: “Two Canadians using a hole made in Boche barricade near Lens, as an outdoor smoking room.” September, 1917. Library and Archives Canada. Ministry of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada fonds. a001827, no. 3396765 (O-1861A).
Fighting boredom and masking odors
Cigarettes also relieved a frequent enemy of soldiers at the front: boredom. Smoking a cigarette while performing fatigues or during free time helped to pass the days. Sharing cigarettes in these moments offered an opportunity for soldiers to socialize with their comrades which aided in promoting and maintaining unit cohesion.
They were also useful to mask odors. The strong smell of tobacco smoke, which was practically inescapable in the trenches, was preferable to soldiers when compared to the smell of the unburied, decomposing bodies which surrounded them or the smell of the unwashed inhabitants themselves.
