subject: History of tobacco in Europe [print this page] History of tobacco in Europe History of tobacco in Europe
Exists supposition that smoking in form of inhaling the smokes of special plants appeared at Eurasia nations as attribute of ritual actions that help to release shaman's mind and reach special state of spirit. However such situation existed only till 1493, when the Old World has found about tobacco.
Indians who honored tobacco as sacred plant have presented pack of withered leaves to Columbus, teaching him at the same time the method of their smoking. On 15th March 1496 in Portugal Harbor has moored last ship of the second Columbus's expedition "El Nino", carrying on its board withered leaves of special herb for smoking. Herb was origin from province Tabago and was presented to Europeans under name "tobacco".
At the middle of XVI century tobacco is spread in Western Europe and Turkey where it is perfectly assimilated and gives perfect harvests. In XVII it penetrates Japan, China and other Asia countries. To the end of XVIII there is no country in the world where it wouldn't "exist". Governments of different countries tried to struggle with tobacco smoking, naming it "demonic destruction". So, in Great Britain and Ottoman Empire in the end of XVI century smokers were equaled to magicians and were punished with "beheading". Though victorious parade of tobacco through the Old World no punishments could stop.
Smoking from beginning was accessible only for noble and wealthy people. Before tobacco hasn't started to be grown in Turkey, each bale of tobacco leafs has overcame uneasy travel through Atlantis. Those times most Spanish and Portugal seniors smoked cigars that were rolled in a special way of thin tobacco leafs. Cigars were awfully expensive and majority of usual people had to satisfy in the proper sense of the word with cigar butts.
Grinding tobacco that has left inside the butts, not rich smokers have rolled quirlies that became prototype of future cigarettes. Cigarettes have acquired wide popularity only in XX century; their spreading is connected with World War I. Those times cigarettes were called "soldier's baccy" and tobacco companies have produced them in cardboard packs without mouthpiece and filter.
With mouthpiece appearance we are obliged to ladies of the beginning of the century. When smoking came into vogue among emancipated women, tobacco companies, to meet the needs of women in order tobacco not to enter the mouth but paper not to get soaked of the lipstick have invented the mouthpiece. This novelty has assimilated and received name "smokes". At he middle of 1920's Philip Morris and American Tobacco Company produce cigarette brands intended especially for women - Marlboro cigarettes and Lucky Strike cigarettes. During the World War II cigarettes on the same bases as food are included in soldier's ration. Tobacco companies send to the front million of cigarettes free of charge. After the War companies have got hundreds thousands of loyal cigarettes' consumers.
Beginning with 1960 already entire world is smoking. And at this time begin first anti-smoking campaigns that appeal to impose ban for tobacco advertising. Today's style of business life implies refuse from smoking. Health and sport are idols of modern Western businessmen. Smoking bans become more and more widespread both in offices of big corporations and in public places. In 2003 under the New York mayor ordinance was prohibited smoking in all locations of public catering.
However, as worldwide statistics shows smokers don't thin out. And today many of them try to assert their rights for smoking there where they feel comfortable. To smoke or not to smoke - everyone decides himself.
