The Watchtower, “Part 2—Flashes of Light—Great and Small”
“As a result of increased light, habits at first merely frowned upon were later handled with appropriate gravity. An example of this was in connection with the use of tobacco. … Since 1973 it has been clearly understood that no tobacco user can be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. In 1976 it was clarified that no Witness could be employed in a gambling establishment and remain in the congregation.”
The organisation's own summary of the change: tobacco use moved from disapproval to a ground for removal from the congregation.
Official source (opens in new tab)
Provenance and verification note for The Watchtower, Part 2—Flashes of Light—Great and Small
Confidence note. Document opened on wol.jw.org on 19 September 2026; the wording was read in full and the page number taken from the library's own page markers.
Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-chg-d-w-1995-0515-p2-tobacco