Tobacco history

   Tobacco got to Europe from America in late 15^th century due to Chistopher Columbus who brought some tobacco plants with him from his first expedition to Cuba. Tobacco seeds got to Europe only 20 years later. They were brought by a monk named Ramon Pane from the province of Tabacco – that is why the name of the plant. The real boom, however, has been triggered off by a French ambassador to Lisbon, Jean Nicot, who in 1560 brought tobacco in the form of snuff powder to the French royal court.

Originally, tobacco smoking was reserved for the rich only. Pipes and other utensils necessary to engaging in this pastime cost a fortune. In many countries, smokers encountered fierce resistance. In Persia, Turkey or Russia smokers were punished, they were even in danger of a death sentence. In Czech Lands, tobacco was introduced as late as in late 16^th century under Rudolph II, an emperor who supported everything that was new and unusual.

The first cigarettes (tobacco enveloped in paper) were made in the USA as late as in 1880. Their cheapness and availability resulted in an enormous increase in numbers of smokers (a tobacco epidemic) all over the world.

In America´s ancient cultures, tobacco was originally used during religious ceremonies and various rituals. The Maya were the first to use tobacco. American Indian shamans considered tobacco a sacred plant, by means of which they were trying to cure various diseases. They were smoking it, snuffing it and eating it together with other halucinogens, which helped them – as they believed – see evil and kill enemies. Even in Europe in the first years tobacco was used primarily for medical purposes – it served to cure headaches, toothaches etc.