American Tobacco European Consumers

American tobacco became the first colonial product of mass consumption by Europeans. History of both the English North American colonies and the rest or the world would be different if they Europeans had not desired tobacco so much. Many physicians praised this precious herb, and said is not only for the sick but the healthy too. One Spaniard said his “hunger and thirst are allayed… strength is restored…spirits are refreshed… brains are lulled by joyous intoxication” after smoking tobacco. England imported about 25,000 pounds of tobacco from New Spain in 1603, and by 1700 they imported nearly 40 million pounds from Chesapeake colonies. This spawned new industries, new habits, and new forms of social life. Smokers needed pipes, boxes, flint or steel, pipe cleaners, and spittoons. All of this and tobacco was supplied by European merchants and manufacturers. The tobacco itself was graded, chopped, flavored, packaged, stored, advertised, and sold. Smoking caused many tobacco users to shift to “snuff” which eliminated smoke, fire, and spitting. Smoking or sniffing tobacco changed European culture, habits, and societies.