VERSION v1.02.07p
Image description
Image description
Image description
Image description

The Origins Of Tobacco

It is known that tobacco was grown as far back as 1 B.C. by American Indians. The American Indians grew the tobacco plant for religious and medicinal practices. American Indians typically wouldn’t use tobacco recreationally, although they were aware that it had hallucinogenic qualities.

Tobacco was easily carried from one region to another by people who visited areas that were already growing tobacco. The tobacco seeds are very small, so they could be carried long distances. In some instances, the seeds were not purposely transported, rather they were scattered by the wind as migrants made their way from one area to another.

By 6,000 B.C., tobacco was growing freely in the America’s. Tobacco was used for many purposes during these times including curing toothaches, dressing wounds, and as a general pain reliever. At this time, people were also beginning to smoke the plant.

Christopher Columbus is often credited with introducing many regions of the world to the tobacco plant. Some claim that he was the one who brought it to the American Indians, while others claim that he learned of the plant and all its benefits from the natives. Either way, after this time, tobacco became well known and its use was widespread, with many people beginning to consider purchasing bulk tobacco to fulfill their needs, or even start a business in supplying the dried plant to others. By World War I, which spanned from 1914 to 1918, the use of tobacco was more widespread than ever before!


Popularity Of Tobacco

World War I really was the beginning of widespread tobacco use by everyday people. Cigarettes became mainstream, especially with soldiers who called them “Soldier’s Smoke.” Within five years of the end of the war, Camel controlled 45% of the United States tobacco and cigarette market. Finally in 1924, Phillip Morris began to market a milder cigarette, the Marlboro.

By the time World War II came, cigarette and tobacco sales were at an all time high. Soldiers were actually given cigarettes as a part of their rations along with food and hygiene products. The soldiers were given free cigarettes, which many people couldn’t understand, but it was a good deal for the tobacco companies because the soldiers would return home and purchase cigarettes.

Tobacco is as popular today as ever. While there are many smoking cessation programs, it has been reported that more than 1.3 billion people smoke! Bulk tobacco sales continue to rise, as this is an affordable way to get the most amount of tobacco for the least amount of money.

Today, there are many target markets for tobacco sales. There are five large tobacco companies, which include China National Tobacco Company, Phillip Morris, British American Tobacco, RJ Reynolds, and Rothmans International. While the number of people who are smoking is said to be declining in recent years because of more information about the health concerns of smoking cigarettes, yet Phillip Morris has increased their sales 150% since 1990. This shows that bulk tobacco sales and bulk cigarette tobacco sales are very much alive and well in this day and age!