Tobacco is a product processed from leaves of the tobacco plant. It can be consumed in several ways, including by smoking, snuffing and chewing. It is estimated that 1.1 billion people worldwide use tobacco, including nearly one third of the adult population. It has also been determined by the World Health Organization that smoking is the deadliest preventable cause of death in the world, accountable for nearly 5.4 million deaths a year.http://www.who.int/tobacco/mpower/mpower_report_forward_summary_2008.pdf
On June 12, 2009, the Congress passed a bill which will regulate tobacco products in several ways, if signed by President Barack Obama. President Obama has said that he will sign the bill. The bill would ban most types of flavored tobacco products and advertisements that could appeal to children and the use of "mild" and "light" to label tobacco products. It will also regulate the amount of nicotine in cigarettes, warning labels and several other aspects of the industry.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105309778&ft=1&f=1012
Background
Tobacco has been a part of the world since roughly 6000 BC when the plant began growing across what is now known as the United States. The Mayas and Toltecs, who were responsible for the creation of the dominant Aztec Empire, helped spread the trend throughout the country in the fifth through seventh centuries AD.http://www.tobacco.org/History/Tobacco_History.html
When Christopher Columbus reached North America in 1492, he was given tobacco leaves in addition to various other gifts and fruits. He ordered his crew to throw the leaves away.http://www.tobacco.org/History/Tobacco_History.html Tobacco would eventually catch on and become extremely popular in Europe. Originally, the Native Americans would not smoke tobacco recreationally, as it was used by medicine men and also in various rituals.
Tobacco was the prize crop in the southern United States for many years, until it was supplanted by the rise of cotton. Following the Civil War, the mass production of cigarettes took off thanks to the invention of the first automated cigarette rolling machine by James Bonsack in 1880.http://thebonsackmachine.com/ Tobacco was attributed to all kinds of ailments and diseases in the mid 1900s, causing a steep decline in smoking rates, and tobacco use overall.
Currently, there is one country in the world that completely outlaws the use of tobacco. The country of Bhutan, which is in the southern area of Asia, enacted the rule in 2004 where it is illegal to smoke in public or sell tobacco at the risk of a fine that is roughly two months salary in the small nation.http://www.slate.com/id/2112449/
Modern Marvels Discusses Tobacco
A video segment from the A&E show Modern Marvels discussing some of the myths, facts and history of tobacco. Tobacco has been growing across the United States since 6000 BC. It reached its peak of popularity in the first half of the 20th century before losing steam following scientific revelations during the middle part of the century.
References
Fast Facts
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Made from
Leaves from the tobacco plant
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Consumed by
Smoking, chewing, snuffing and in several other forms
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Varieties
Tobacco consumption is the most preventable cause of disease, disability and death in the U.S.
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Fact 4
Addictive due to the substance nicotine
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Fact 5
Used in some cultures for religious purposes
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Fact:
Tobacco leaves are cured to create tobacco for consumption
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Cigarettes
Tobacco leaves, sometimes mixed with other ingredients, and wrapped in paper
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Cigars
Dried and cured tobacco
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Chewing tobacco
Whole or shredded tobacco leaves which are chewed
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Snuff
Pulverized tobacco, usually snuffed through the nose
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Dipping tobacco
Tobacco packed in small packages and placed under the lip
