Chantix
A Guide To Tobacco History
By Brian Welsch
Tobacco plant grows natively in South and North America, and is of the same family as pepper, potato and poisonous nightshade. Tobacco started growing about 6,000 B.C. in Americas, and around 1 B.C, American Indians started using tobacco in various ways such as for medicinal and religious practices.
Tobacco History
In 1492, American Indians had offered dried tobacco as a gift to Christopher Columbus, and later sailors also brought some tobacco to Europe, and the plant was then grown all over Europe. In 1600s, tobacco was as good as gold, and was commonly used as money. During these times, some individuals highlighted the dangerous effects of smoking tobacco, and in 1610, Sir Francis Bacon discovered that quitting this habit was very difficult.
Americans and Europeans play important role in tobacco history, and have been one of the early users. High doses of tobacco can cause hallucinations, and this drug was never used by native Americans for recreation. Early users believed that it was the Creator’s gift, and they also believed that smoke from tobacco was capable of carrying the prayers to the heaven.
Another aspect of tobacco history is its usage explosion during First World War, and in 1923, Camel had almost 45% of the US market share. American Tobacco Company introduces a new brand, Pall Mall in 1939, and became largest tobacco company of US.
In 1964, report of Surgeon General on Smoking and Health was released, and this helped government to regulate sales and advertising of cigarettes. Most of the health hazards of tobacco were reported in 1960s. Television ads for cigarettes were taken off the air in Great Britain in 1965.
Due to negative publicity, big brands in the tobacco industry started to diversify their products, and some even dropped the word tobacco from the name.
Important aspects of tobacco history are various lawsuits filed against the tobacco industry due to the health hazards caused by its products. In 1980s, smoking became politically incorrect, and got banned from many public places. Tobacco was also associated with lung cancer, and by 1985, it became the leading killer in women.
Early 80es and early 90s are significant part of tobacco history, and during this time, marketing of tobacco products started heavily in US and developing Asian countries, but in the recent years, enough evidence have been gathered that conclude that the cigarettes can be very harmful, yet many companies continue to sell and market them.
Some of the most common tobacco products are beedi, cigars, creamy snuff, cigarettes, electronic cigarette, dipping tobacco, hookah, gutka, snus, snuff, pipe smoking, tobacco water, Kreteks and topical tobacco paste.
