Tobacco is derived from the leaves of the genus Nicotiana, a plant from the night-shade family, indigenous to North and South America.Īrcheological studies suggest the use of tobacco in around first century BC, when Maya people of Central America used tobacco leaves for smoking, in sacred and religious ceremonies. Although much has been known by now but knowing the history of tobacco is also necessary. Where from, in what form, and how these leaves of the noxious plant gained popularity and made the mankind addictive is to be known. Likewise, smokers are 1.3 times more likely to consume alcohol compared with nonsmokers. The literature suggests that approximately 70% of alcoholics are heavy smokers compared with 10% of the general population. Print and electronic media are playing a dual role by helping in promoting and popularizing tobacco / gutkha and similar products and contrarily printing and showing the health hazards. Many times articles are published in the newspapers, to develop awareness of its effects. Many research works in different countries have emphasized potential detrimental effects of its use on almost all systems of living beings, in whatever form it is used. It is one of the great sources of revenue for the government as excise duty. However, so far a lot has been known about its disadvantages, but still tobacco is grown, developed, advertised, marketed, and sold to earn a big chunk of the financial cake. A pilot project questionnaire survey comprising this subject involving the educated mass has already been started and will be produced after analysis of data in part II of this paper.įor ages, tobacco has been popular and its use is significantly increasing in spite of alarming health hazards. This article has been designed to revive the awareness for health hazards of tobacco and similar products. Even many professionals, though knowing the deleterious effects, are still using tobacco and gutkha in one or the other form. In the 21 st century, people are considering hazardous tobacco as beneficial for their teeth, good for concentration of mind, and something which keeps them engaged. In what form, where, and how it had been served in religious rituals and considered for treatment or remedy of certain ailments in those days could not certainly be known. Much has been known and written about tobacco in the context of oral and general health hazards but little has been explored and is known to many about where from and how this plant, which is now used in various forms, and speading widely. Probably at that time people were unaware of the health hazards and were using tobacco in treating certain ailments. In the era of the migration of communities, tobacco use gradually gained access and subsequently migrated along with the migrants, establishing in different locations. This article provides information on the origin of tobacco and its subsequent spread throughout the world.
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