American Tobacco and European Consumers

In the seventeenth –century, tobacco became a necessity to everyday life. The Chesapeake colonies first started to grow the tobacco and eventually started to double the crops. In the East, many Europeans wanted tobacco but others like King James found Tobacco repulsive. The Spaniards were the firsts to bring tobacco into Europe. At first, many physicians believed that tobacco was a drug or a holy herb that could cure diseases and keep you healthy. Europeans soon became addicted to tobacco and in the 1700 England had imported about 40 millions pounds of tobacco and from the multiplied size of tobacco, prices increased. From tobacco many new industries and social life began to surface. Pipes were being made and tins or boxes were also being made in order to hold the tobacco. Tobacco was also used other than smoking. Tobacco was also used by chewing, sniffing, and drinking. In conclusion, tobacco became a key factor to everyday life for Europeans and changed European living.