Nowadays, using tobacco products, especially cigarettes, has seen a dramatic increase compared to the past, becoming widespread among people. The age of starting smoking has drastically decreased, and even many teenagers have started to use this product. The subject we are going to discuss in this article is related to the history of cigarettes. If you are interested in this topic, please continue reading.
The History of Cigarettes
Extensive research has been conducted to the history of cigarettes. As you may know, tobacco is the main ingredient in cigarettes. According to the researchers, this compound existed around six thousand of years BC among the indigenous people of America and was in use.
Christopher Columbus, the Italian navigator, learned the way of using and smoking tobacco from the Native Americans in Cuba and he took the first shipment of tobacco leaves to Europe in 1492 AD. Gradually, as people's knowledge and understanding of the use of tobacco increased, this product was exported to the other parts of the world and many countries independently started to grow and cultivate it. So, the use of tobacco became widespread in regions such as the Middle East, Australia, Africa, China, India and other European countries.
Keep in mind that the method of consuming tobacco initially was not as it is today and people mostly chewed it. However, gradually consumers discovered that they could use tobacco in pipes, hookahs and cigarettes.
The first cigarettes were produced in the 19th century and were completely hand-rolled. The first store that officially started selling hand-rolled cigarettes was a store in England.
England and Germany were among the first countries to establish factories specifically for producing cigarettes.
In 1862, Germany established the first cigarette production factory. In 1881, the first cigarette manufacturing machine was built in England. This machine could produce 120,000 strands of cigarettes per day. Over time, with the advancement of equipment and facilities, the largest cigarette factory in England began operating in 1901.
The History of Cigarettes and Tobacco as Medicine
With the introduction of cigarettes in European countries and their widespread use, many people believed that tobacco used in cigarettes was a newly discovered plant that could serve as a type of drug for the body. In fact, they introduced tobacco as an effective herbal medicine in Western medicine. In the late 16th century, Dr. Nicolas Monardes claimed that smoking cigarettes could alleviate feelings of weakness and hunger, serve as a relaxing drug, act as a painkiller and even be a way to treat various cancers. Of course, these claims faced considerable opposition.
The History of the Appearance of Cigarettes in Iran
Iran had extensive trade relations with various countries in the past. The first time when cigarettes entered Iran as a type of tobacco product was in 1860 AD, according to recorded research and statistics. It is likely that the entry of cigarettes happened through Turkish and Russian traders and soldiers in Iran.
Usually, the experience of first things always belonged to the rich and aristocrats in the past. Those who were among the wealthy people of society would start smoking cigarettes by mimicking Europeans. The extensive interaction of the wealthy with European immigrants had led to the sort of mimicry of their behavior. In 1869 AD, the city of Tabriz was known as a significant trade center for Turkish and Russian traders.
About 350 cigarette sellers were activate in this city during that time. Gradually, the use of cigarettes increased among the people of the country. In 1880 AD, domestic manufacturers decided to independently produce and supply cigarettes.
In 1876 AD, the cultivation of tobacco and tobacco products became widespread in the northern regions of the country. The per capita consumption of cigarettes among people increased so much that in 1890 AD, nearly 15,000 smokers were identified in the country.
The History of Electronic Cigarettes
Electronic cigarettes, also known as vapes, heat a specific liquid solution to increase its temperature. The liquid evaporates, with the increase in temperature and the resulting smoke which people inhale, allows them to consume the nicotine in it.
Electronic cigarettes also have their own specific hazards and damages. the advertisements for the use of electronic cigarettes have drastically increased and usually encourage people to use tobacco products, which have raised concerns in the recent years.
Contrary to the perception of some people who think not much time has passed since the production and appearance of electronic cigarettes, we should say that the history of electronic cigarettes dates back to forty years ago. In fact, electronic cigarettes have been used covertly since 1963. Hence, people didn't have a good understanding of this product. However, the production and supply of electronic cigarettes decreased in a short period.
In 2003, the production of these cigarettes began. The reasons for the hidden production process of electronic cigarettes in the past could be attributed to three main factors:
• Preparing technical readiness in the production sectors
• Preparing psychological readiness in consumers
• Marketing strategy readiness for products
