The history of tobacco

The origins of tobacco are lost in the mists of time. Smoking is universal and this history relates primarily to Britain.

Tobacco came to Europe via the New World. Christopher Columbus made the first recorded reference to tobacco in 1492. In Britain, tobacco was introduced to the Elizabethan court by Sir Walter Raleigh and he was a confirmed smoker until his death on the scaffold at the Tower of London.

Originally tobacco was classified as a drug and could only be bought from apothecaries. It was recognised for its medicinal qualities, particularly on the continent.

Contrary to popular opinion there have always been detractors of tobacco. James I of England (James VI of Scotland) published his famous counterblast to tobacco in 1603. He concluded that it was a custom loathsome to the eye, harmful to the brain and dangerous to the lungs. The warning did not have the desired effect nor did raising the tax from 2d per lb. to 6s10d per lb. This was the start of tobacco being used as a revenue raiser, which has continued to the present day.

Tobacco was grown in Virginia and it is regarded as America's first crop. Until the American War of Independence, tobacco could only be sold to Britain, and these trade restrictions were one of the reasons for the war. Before George Washington became the first President of America, he was a tobacco planter.

Snuff had been popular at the court since Charles II returned from exile on the continent. The popularity of snuff with people at large dates from the introduction of ground snuff in 1702. In its heyday, there were teachers of etiquette on the taking of snuff.

Cigars reached Britain following the end of the Napoleonic wars in 1815. They gradually gained in popularity and there was a smoking room in the Houses of Parliament.

British soldiers returning after the Crimean war in 1856 brought cigarettes to Britain from Turkey. At first these were considered effeminate, but gradually gained in popularity. Cigarettes were a favourite present for troops in the First World War.

Women began to smoke and were encouraged to do so by advertising and the glamour of smoking in Hollywood films.

Most men and many women smoked until the 1980's when health warnings, changing social attitudes and punitive taxes began to take their toll. Smoking is now banned on many premises. We see employees standing in the rain having a smoke.

The future remains to be seen.