A Comprehensive History of Cigarettes: Who Invented It?

Did you know that during World War 1, young men were given a constant supply of cigarettes as a means to alleviate psychological stress?

That, too, despite legislation being prevalent banning the sale of tobacco to minors!

Such was the grasp cigarettes had on the general population that even when it was proven to cause lung cancer, the quitting rates were still meagre.

When was the Cigarette invented, and what is its history? Delve deep into this blog to understand the history of cigarettes and their rapid gain in popularity.

The Curious Case of Cigarettes:

So, when did humans start smoking? Smoking dates back to 5000 BC in ancient shamanistic rituals in America. This habit quickly spread with the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century.

Cigarettes were originally produced and marketed to the elite class of Europe as an expensive handmade luxury item due to the lack of rolling machines.

The situation changed when the Bonsack Machine, aka Rolling Machine, was invented. If you are wondering who invented cigarettes, then James Albert Bonsack is the man behind commercial cigarettes. This machine was then utilized by the American Industrialist James Buchanan Duke to mass-produce cigarettes, which led to the establishment of the American Tobacco Company (ATC) in 1890. 

Similarly, in Britain, another manufacturer, Henry Wills, set up a factory in Bristol in 1883. Within a few years, his business became a raging success, thus making him a monarch in the cigarette trade.

In 1901, when Duke attempted to enter the British market, which was already under the control of Wills, “the tobacco war” broke out.

The war was short-lived as both parties entered a common agreement that ensured the Duke returned to the American market, leaving the British Market to Imperial. However, they established a common company called British American Tobacco (BAT) and marketed their products to the rest of the world, like India, China, and so on.

Cultural Beliefs around Tobacco and Smoking in India:

The Portuguese were the ones who first introduced tobacco in India, which was then rapidly adopted due to its calming and relaxing effects.

Over the years, tobacco consumption in India has evolved into two forms: smoking (Beedi or Cigarettes) and chewing (Gutkha, Khaini). Additionally, tobacco has been incorporated into the traditional habit of consuming Pan (a mixture of betel leaf, slaked lime, and sweetener).

Now, there are 80 different brands of cigarettes available in India, but Beedi still reigns supreme among the commoner because of its cost-effectiveness. 

In rural parts of India, smoking Beedi is believed to have a variety of health benefits. In some parts of Kerala, it is considered to cure toothache. The majority of young girls who smoke in rural India report that they have been advised to do so by older women to alleviate “cravings” during pregnancy and cure anemia and asthma.

In some parts of Andhra Pradesh’s countryside, it is even considered bad luck to see a non-smoker early in the morning!

The rapid adoption of Cigarette:

In the first half of the 20th century, cigarette sales boomed. Almost half of the population in industrialized countries smoked, men and women alike. And most adult men in Britain were chain smokers, and it was socially accepted. 

It was so popular among women that a brand called Marlboro arose. Its cigarette products were marketed as “Mild as May” to target the female population.

Hollywood, too, played a huge role in glamorizing cigarettes and making smoking a symbol of being iconic.

In India, too, young men grew up watching their fathers and grandfathers smoke, thus making them believe that cigarettes are part of being a man. This societal influence further urged these young men to pick up these habits. But contradictingly, young women from well-to-do families in India were expected not to smoke as it is considered morally wrong for them to do so.

The Hazards Behind Smoking:

It was not until the 1950s that American Physician Ernst L.Wynder and British Statisticians Austin Bradford Hill and Sir Richard Doll provided conclusive evidence that Cigarettes can lead to lung cancer.

Although this came as a shock to the general population, the quitting rates did not go down as much as expected. This was due to various reasons such as addiction, denials by the tobacco industry, advertising, the glamorized outlook by the media, and so on.

According to a study, people who quit are mostly the ones who smoke less frequently. And even the people who quit smoking found it hard not to relapse into their old habits. The majority of the population opted for lighter or filtered cigarettes, often believing them to be better and safer alternatives.

In India, there is a lack of awareness of smoking and its potential health hazards, thus leading to the large-scale usage of tobacco and its byproducts. The Government of India is combating the situation by initiating various schemes and awareness programs to educate people on the hazards of using cigarettes.

Final Words:

Smoking and Cigarettes have had a long history. But it is high time; the long run has come to an end. So, if you are a smoker looking to choose a safer alternative, it does not exist. Quitting is the only way you can completely relieve yourself of the health hazards imposed by smoking. So, get the help of a healthcare professional and choose a better future for yourself. Let us take one step towards a healthier and safer future!

FAQs:

1. Who invented the Cigarette?

Many inventors created the Cigarettes that we know today. It is a product made by accumulating the inventions of multiple people. However, James Albert Bonsack is often credited with the invention of cigarettes, such as the rolling machine, which led to the commercial production of cigarettes.

2. When did cigarettes become popular?

The rise of rolling machines brought about the mass production of cigarettes. Coupled with the clever and aggressive marketing techniques of manufacturers, Cigarettes soon found popularity among the general population.

3. Did people always know that cigarettes were harmful?

For a surprising duration of time, cigarettes were marketed as a healthy option for the consumer. Only during the 1950s, conclusive evidence was provided proving the ill effects smoking has on your body.

Sources: