Were cigarettes at one time good for your health?

Dear Mister Alice:

Were cigarettes at one time actually good for your health? In a lot of old movies they do a lot of smoking and they seem to be in perfect health. Nowadays I think the quality of the cigarettes has declined so it's no longer good for you.

-- Fluffy, Imperial Beach

Consider this, Fluff. You see the smoking actors in films only until they develop lung cancer. After that, what with the chemo and radiation and all, they're much too unpleasant looking to be considered for any movie roles.