What Does the Bible Say About Smoking Tobacco? Is Smoking a Sin?

Since the late 1500s the use of tobacco products has exploded in both Western and Eastern societies. Early English and Spanish explorers first encountered the practice among native peoples of the Americas, and eventually popularized it in their homelands.

The custom grew to the point where in the 1950s the majority of the world’s adult population smoked, sniffed or chewed tobacco products. It was popular, trendy and thought largely to be harmless. What does the Bible say about smoking? Is smoking tobacco a sin?

As early as 1602, concerns were being expressed about the health effects of smoking. As essay entitled “Worke of Chimney Sweepers”, published in England, compared illnesses of chimney sweepers, caused by soot, to effects of smoking tobacco.

By the 1960s medical research had confirmed the link between smoking and the use of other tobacco products and a range of serious illnesses including cancers. Thus, knowing the risk posed by tobacco use, should a follower of the Bible engage in such practices?

Paul was inspired to write that we human beings are to become a dwelling place for God’s Spirit, and as such we are to do all we can to keep our mind and body free of that which would bring us harm, or damage the body: