Tobacco A Cultural History of How an Exotic Plant Seduced

a Civilization

By Ian Gately

Early History

Originated in Peruvian/Ecuadorian Andes

Believed to have healing properties Used as a right of passage for shamans

Smoking was more than just inhaling

and exhaling

Eastern World’s Reaction to Smoking

Satanic connections to smoking

The plant was brought to Spain and Portugal in the 1550’s Used medicinally

Brought to England by Sir Francis Drake Popular amongst royals

Spread throughout Asia by the trans-Pacific trade route

Traded on West African trade routes

Eastern World’s Reaction to Smoking

Cont. Tobacco’s acceptance in Europe required strong

labor force Slavery was needed

Smoking tobacco was spread by Holland

England’s Navigation Acts

Implemented due to problems with tobacco smuggling

1st Navigation Act-imports to England must be come directly on English ships from wherever the product was made

2nd Navigation Act-prohibited citizens from selling tobacco outside of England

Tobacco and Conflict

Taxation by the British caused Revolutionary War, but tobacco helped win it

British traded tobacco for Brandy with the enemy

During WWII cigarettes were not included on the ration list

Therapeutic smoking for soldiers

Medicinally Socially

Scientists questioned “why smoke?”

In 1809, nicotine was discovered as the main ingredient in tobacco

“Why smoke?” “What do you smoke?

Smoking taken up because of pleasure and low prices

Women smoking

Advertising

Tobacco companies became very competitive, and some went to extreme measures “Luckies” brand cigarettes Doctors endorsing brands

Film, Art, Literature, Music and Tobacco

Actors smoking on screen created a desirable image

Artists depicted people smoking in their works

Writers used smoking as a commonality between characters

Rock’n’roll changed adolescent view on smoking Rebellion promoted by musicians started

with smoking

Discovery of Health Risks

1957 US Surgeon General released a statement that “prolonged cigarette smoking was a causative factor in the etiology of lung cancer”

Tobacco companies were attacked by the government and their customers

Television advertisements were banned

Addiction

The nicotine in cigarettes was addictive Why people smoked was not because of previous

beliefs

Second-hand smoke became a danger to non-smokers

5 types of smokers discovered by Dr. Hamilton Russell Psychosocial, indulgent, self-tranquilizers, self-

stimulating, addictive

Conclusion

Tobacco was one of the most important items of trade in history

Brought society together

Unlike anything the world had seen, yet it was embraced very quickly

Bibliography

Book: Gately, Ian. Tobacco: A Cultural History of How an Exotic Plant Seduced a Civilization. New York City: Grove Press, 2001.

Pictures:http://molinterv.aspetjournals.org/content/3/3/169/embed/graphic-1.gif ; http://www.old-picture.com/indians/pictures/Indian-Smoking-Pipe.jpg ; http://www.kislakfoundation.org/millennium-exhibit/pics/burnside/0469.jpg ; http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xc/82500651.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=B5384F3B2A5A9842D6BECA458F56BF65A82FEE2A3B8C19C0A3CAAF34BA819D3AE30A760B0D811297 ; http://pzrservices.typepad.com/vintageadvertising/images/2007/06/18/vintage_cigarette_ad.jpg ; http://site.izieweb.nl/rollingstones/plaat.php?fileid=2178 ; http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/smoking.jpg ; http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2009/06/12/surgeon_general_warning_01.gif ; http://stopsmokingnow.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/nicotine2.jpg ; http://www.fasthorseinc.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/luckys_1930s1.jpg ; http://www.oddee.com/item_93813.aspx ; http://openwetware.org/images/8/89/Tobacco_leaf.jpg ; https://webspace.utexas.edu/cokerwr/www/slides/circles/cig2.gif ;