Avant 1973, l’usage du tabac écartait un Témoin du service au siège, du service de pionnier et du ministère itinérant, mais ne constituait pas un motif d’exclusion de la congrégation ; l’organisation a plus tard décrit de telles habitudes comme « at first merely frowned upon ».

“In 1935, The Watchtower called tobacco “the filthy weed” and noted that no one who chose to chew it or smoke it could remain a member of the Bethel family or serve as a representative of God’s organization in the pioneer work or the traveling ministry. In 1973 a further moral refinement came. … Those who refused to give up the misuse of tobacco were to be disfellowshipped.”

“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.”