I AM researching a Channel 4 television documentary that explores the history of tobacco during the first half of the 20th century. I am particularly looking for older women's memories of that time.

In the old days, the cigarette taken from an ornate case and smoked in long holder was the ultimate fashion accessory for the liberated woman.

There was a wide choice of tobacco available, such as Turkish or cocktail and some cigarettes came wrapped in pastel-coloured papers.

During the 1930s and 40s smoking increased dramatically - women were smoking at work, in the office or on the factory floor.

The cigarette, romanticized by the new Hollywood stars, became important in courtship - offering a cigarette or light became a popular chat-up line.

It was not until the 1950s that the celebrated cigarette became widely known as harmful. Doctors who had previously encouraged smoking to help people relax urged them to give up. For some women giving up smoking was by then hard, or even impossible.

Do you have any memories like these or other stories about smoking during the first half of this century? If so I would welcome them.

Hilary Cornish

Testimony Films

12 Great George St

Bristol, BS1 5RS.

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