ORIGIN

The tobacco plant (Nicotiana Tabacum) is originally from South America and has always been linked to the sub-continent, including the Caribbean, and is the stuff of lore, myths and legends:

• The Aztecs believed the juice of the plant was an antidote to snakes’ venom.
• The Arawak or Carib Indians were the first to smoke it.
• On the other hand, the Aracunas, natives of Brasil, ate it as food.
• The Jivaroan Indians put their youths through initiation rites comprising of the inhalation of the aromatic fumes of the tobacco plant.
• The Mayas offered their gods the first proceeds of the tobacco harvest in order to bring rain.

ARRIVAL IN EUROPE

The arrival of the tobacco plant in Europe can be traced back to the Spanish, specifically those who participated, together with Christopher Columbus, in the discovery of America.

One of them, Don Rodrigo of Jerez, on hearing the tales and myths surrounding tobacco, and being marvelled at them, brought a few leaves of the plant back with him from America so he could smoke them in Spain and astonish his relatives and friends (thus becoming the first European to smoke a "Havana cigar").

However, the results were not as he had planned, as on being surprised "breathing" smoke from his nostrils, the Spanish Inquisition considered him to be possessed by the Devil and imprisoned him.