History & Origins
Early Use of Tobacco
The
use of tobacco dates to the start of the 16th century, when it was
introduced to Spain and England by explorers. At first, the use of
tobacco created controversy with varying opinions about its effects.
Practices such as pipe smoking, chewing and sniffing tobacco were also
praised for their pleasurable and medicinal effects. However, the habit
of smoking was condemned for its smell and harm, especially for its
effects on the brain and lungs.
Health Risks
In
the 20th century, scientific studies on smoking began to be carried out,
specifically when tobacco production and consumption began to increase.
The studies showed a large increase in cases of lung cancer, which
prompted research into the relationship of smoking with cardiovascular
disease, cancer and respiratory diseases. In the 1930s, researchers
found a clear increase in mortality from smoking, which led to further
studies on the chemical compounds in tobacco smoke.