hqdtechusa profilja

Introduction of tobacco in Europe
During his expedition to the Americas in 1492, Christopher Columbus noticed that the Indians smoked a kind of tube made of rolled leaves that the natives called "petum" to treat themselves. Tobacco seeds were finally introduced into Spain by the explorer around 1550 and then into Portugal. Convinced of the plant's therapeutic virtues, the French ambassador to Portugal, Jean Nicot, sent some to Catherine de Medici to relieve her migraines. Whether the benefits for her headaches were proven or not, tobacco is now referred to as "Herbe-à-la-Reine" or "Catherinaire". viper super

Within a few years, the sale of tobacco for medicinal purposes became widespread throughout France and the world. It was supplied by apothecaries under the name "Nicotiana", a term chosen by the naturalist Carl Von Linné in reference to the ambassador Jean Nicot. It was not until the middle of the 19th century that the first cigarettes were appreciated and the 1950s that the first studies on the harmful effects of tobacco on health appeared.

Today, despite a considerable drop in the number of regular smokers in France, smoking is still considered to be the leading cause of "avoidable" death in the country.