Tobacco—What it Is and What it Does - Physical Properties Of Nicotine, Trends In Tobacco Use, The Addictive Nature Of Nicotine, Health Consequences

The use of tobacco in North America dates back to pre-Columbian days. After Christopher Columbus landed in the New World in 1492, he and later European settlers were introduced to tobacco by Native Americans. The use of tobacco products, especially cigarettes, increased greatly in the United States in the twentieth century. Smoking was often associated with romance, relaxation, and adventure; movie stars oozed glamour on screen while smoking, and movie tough guys were never more masculine than when lighting up. Songs like "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" topped the hit parade. Smoking became a rite of passage for many young males and a sign of increasing independence for women.

Since the 1990s, however, strong opposition to tobacco use has grown. Health authorities warn of the dangers of smoking and chewing tobacco, and nonsmokers object to "secondhand smoke"—because of both the smell and the health dangers of breathing smoke from other people's cigarettes. Today, a smoker is more likely to ask for permission before lighting up, and the answer is often "no." Due to health concerns, smoking has been banned on airplanes, in hospitals, and in many businesses, including some restaurants and bars.