On August 18th, 1919, the Anti-Cigarette League was officially established in Chicago, Illinois, marking a significant milestone in the fight against smoking. Almost 30 years after the community’s inception in 1890, Lucy Page Gaston debuted the Anti-Cigarette League advocacy group. Her mission to push for the ban on smoking in public places and the ban on cigarettes themselves, based on her belief in a strong correlation between smoking and alcohol abuse, captured the attention of like-minded individuals. Within ten years of the first chapter starting, the league had over 300,000 members, a testament to its significant impact. 

Fun facts

• The Anti-Cigarette League began in 1890. Lucy Page Gaston founded it.
• The anti-smoking advocacy group aimed to pass anti-smoking laws and legislation in the interest of public health.
• Lucy Page Gaston was a teacher and a writer. She also served as a member of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.
• The Anti-Cigarette League, a beacon of success, was established in 1919 and soon grew to over 300,000 members. However, its success was soon overshadowed by the national efforts against alcohol consumption, a testament to the league’s significant impact and achievements.
• Lucy Page Gaston was born on May 19, 1860, and died in 1924 at 63 or 64.
• Although Lucy’s original middle name was Jane, she changed it to Page to match her mother’s, a decision that reflected her deep respect and admiration for her mother.
• Ironically, the Anti-Cigarette League was more against the cigarette itself than against the tobacco that is used to manufacture the product.
• At one time, the Anti-Cigarette League had 300,000 members.