Cigarette

Of course, everyone knows what a cigarette is and its harmful effects on the human body - yours and others, and to the environment. Coined from the French word “small cigar”, these babies have become essential part of society all over the world. It has become a status symbol for masculinity and have been deemed by many to reduce stress and pressure. Made from fine reconstituted tobacco leaves, these are most of the time rolled in cylinders combined with additives and are smoked with either filters or holders. Very popular indeed, but very few people know of its roots.

Perhaps the earliest cigarettes may be traced to 9th century Central America. Natives smoked plants in smoking tubes. The Aztecs smoked different plants during rituals and usually depicted priests and religious figures in their culture smoking. The form that we see today is not the original shape when this was just being developed during the Crimean War. British soldiers rolled their tobacco in newsprints and smoked them the way a person would do with hashish or cannabis.

Sometime later in the 18th century, the cigars that rich young men from affluent families dropped in the streets were picked by beggars. The remaining tobacco from these expensive cigars were wrapped or rolled in paper and smoked. Thus, the name cigarette was born. Tobacco blends were developed. Flavors were enhanced. Tobacco types were introduced and they were made suitable for the manufacture of these little cigars. Factories began capitalizing in the newly found craze and thus, the rest is history.