A married couple, Mr and Mrs Potts, arguing about Mr Potts's habit of tobacco smoking. Lithograph by T.H. Jones.

Lithograph by T.H. Jones forms front cover to song sheet (9 pages)

The "Great tobacco controversy" of 1857 was a flurry of debate in both medical journals and the popular press about the effects of smoking tobacco on health. This song, responding to the controversy, illustrates increased public awareness of the detrimental effects of smoking, as Mrs Potts tells her husband that she is sure that smoking does him harm

London (19 Paternoster Row) : B. Williams, [1857?]

1 print : lithograph + sheet music

The great tobacco controversy between Mr. and Mrs. Potts. ... Comic duet. (With very serious termination) by H. Walker Esqr. ...

Wellcome Collection 135i