Tobacco use by Indian adolescents - Historical Aspects

Human beings have been using tobacco since 600 A.D. It was introduced in Europe by Columbus who came to know about it from the Caribbeans during his historical journeys. It was introduced in India by the Portuguese. Earlier, tobacco was generally smoked using different types of pipes or as cigars or was consumed orally (smokeless tobacco). Paper cigars and cigarettes were introduced in the mid nineteenth century. Nicotine was isolated from the tobacco leaves as early as 1828 A.D.

Harmful effects of tobacco have been recognized over the last 1000 years. Historically, three contemporary rulers, King James I of England, Shah Abbas of Persia and the Mughal emperor Jahangir of India (father of Shah Jehan, the builder of Taj Mahal) in 16th century had noticed the harmful effects of tobacco and tried to ban it. King James had commented on smoking as being "a custom loathsome to the eye, hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, and dangerous to the lungs". Jahangir had even passed orders prohibiting smoking tobacco. Khalil Pasha was more stringent and had passed a prohibitory decree against tobacco smoking that "anybody caught smoking tobacco would have his lips cut and eyes taken out". In 1014 Hijri, Russia had also passed certain regulations against smoking.

India has a distinct tradition of enforcements against tobacco use being initiated by the past kings (like Jahangir) and the religious leaders at different times in the history. The great Indian Sikh Guru Gobind Singh prohibited smoking for the members of the Sikh community. He said, "Wine is bad, Indian hemp (bhang) destroys one generation, but tobacco destroys all generations". Tobacco use has been considered a religious taboo by the Sikhs since then. However, despite historical attempts to legally ban tobacco, its use has continued to grow in popularity as a nonproductive pastime.

In the modern medicine, its harmful effects have been recognized over the last 4 decades. Although its use has declined in developed nations in the recent years, it continues to be popular in developing countries.