About Tobacco

Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as an organic pesticide, and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, it is used in some medicines. In consumption it most commonly appears in the forms of smoking, chewing, snuffing, or dipping tobacco, or snus. Tobacco has long been in use as an entheogen in the Americas. However, upon the arrival of Europeans in North America, it quickly became popularized as a trade item and as a recreational drug. This popularization led to the development of the southern economy of the United States until it gave way to cotton. Following the American Civil War, a change in demand and a change in labor force allowed for the development of the cigarette. This new product quickly led to the growth of tobacco companies, until the scientific controversy of the mid-1900s.

There are many species of tobacco, which are all encompassed by the plant genus Nicotiana. The word nicotiana was named in honor of Jean Nicot, French ambassador to Portugal, who in 1559 sent it as a medicine to the court of Catherine de Medici.

Because of the addictive properties of nicotine, tolerance and dependence develop. Absorption quantity, frequency, and speed of tobacco consumption are believed to be directly related to biological strength of nicotine dependence, addiction, and tolerance. The usage of tobacco is an activity that is practiced by some 1.1 billion people, and up to 1/3 of the adult population. The World Health Organization reports it to be the leading preventable cause of death worldwide and estimates that it currently causes 5.4 million deaths per year. Rates of smoking have leveled off or declined in developed countries, however they continue to rise in developing countries.

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Tobacco Videos


Modern Marvels : Tobacco

Tobacco - Gross Magik

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Tobacco Photos


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tobacco field - Tobacco_field_cuba1.jpg

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tobacco plant - theplant1.jpg

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Tobacco News


Tobacco tax criticized - Topeka Capital Journal


Hutchinson News

Tobacco tax criticized
Topeka Capital Journal
Convenience stores and tobacco shops bristled Wednesday at attempts to balance the state's budget on their backs. ...
Tobacco tax plan hurts mom-and-pop stores, opponents sayKansasReporter (blog)
Kan. mulling new soda tax, raising other leviesThe Associated Press
Kan. Senate debates tax increasesPittsburg Morning Sun
Kansas.com -Kansas City Star -KOAM-TV
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Kansas Legislature tables alcohol levy, but tobacco tax still alive - Kansas City Star


Kansas Legislature tables alcohol levy, but tobacco tax still alive
Kansas City Star
Meanwhile, the Senate Tax Committee reviewed legislation to increase the tax on tobacco. A committee vote is likely next week. ...

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