Teacher Timeline

Tobacco: Past and Present

I. Pre-Fifteenth Century

A. Historians believe Native Americans have used tobacco since around 6,000 B.C.
B. First visual smoking record: pottery vessel displays a Mayan smoking roll of tobacco leaves tied with strings (Uaxactun, Guatemala, 600-1,000 A.D.)
C. Maya of Central America (who eventually migrated to North and South America)
D. Fourteenth Century Aztec culture includes tobacco pouches and gourds, with insignias of female doctors and midwives

II. Fifteenth Century

A. Europeans exposed to Native Americans and tobacco at end of 15th century

1. Sociology of the Native American smoking rituals

a. "peace pipe" ceremony
b. end-of-day relaxation smoke
c. tobacco considered magical—herbalist or medical person sprinkle it around trees as an offering to their spirit
d. Native Americans used tobacco in heavy moderation

2. Christopher Columbus arrives in Cuba while thinking he'd meet "The Great Kahn" in Cubanancan— upon arrival, is given tobacco
3. Colonial era smokers adopt Native American pipe (long stem/small bowl/clay)

III. Sixteenth Century

A. Tobacco is introduced to France, Portugal, and Spain in 1556-1560
B. Jean Nicot, French Ambassador to Portugal, speaks highly of tobacco

1. Sends letter to Catherine de Medici, Queen of France, about medicinal values: tobacco may cure such conditions as gout
2. Sends snuff in 1566 to her to treat her migraines
3. Tobacco is dubbed "Nicotiana"

C. Physicians using tobacco for everything in 1570
D. Pipe smoking is hobby of European upper-middle class
E. Roman Catholic Church bans smoking in any place of worship in Spanish Colonies

IV. Seventeenth Century

A. Latin American women use cigars in healing rituals
B. Author Philaretes states chimneysweeper illness caused by soot: tobacco may have similar effects in 1602
C. King James I of England pronounces dangers of smoking in "Counterblaste to Tobacco" and implements 4,000 percent import tax on tobacco increase
D. Sir Walter Raleigh sets up a failed tobacco colony in Roanoke, VA and John Rolfe succeeds in Chesapeake Bay in 1605-1611

1. John Rolfe and Pocahontas marry in 1614
2. Farmers export 50,000 pounds of tobacco in 1618 and 300,000 pounds in 1626
3. British and Irish now smoke heavily: Virginia farmers become exclusive suppliers for seven-year period.
4. Era of wealth in Virginia and Maryland until American Revolution

E. King Phillip III of Spain makes Seville tobacco center of world. Papeletes, an early form of the cigarette, began here
F. Dr. William Vaughn writes, "Tobacco that outlandish weede/It spends the braine and spoiles the seede/It dulls the spirite, it dims the sight/It robs a woman of her right." in 1617
G. First Africans are brought into Jamestown in 1619
H. Some doctors say tobacco still has medicinal qualities, but is harmful if used casually
I. 1638—smoking in China is punishable by decapitation
J. Slave labor grows due to single crop economy and assembly starts to institutionalize slavery in 1661.

V. Eighteenth Century

A. American colonists chew tobacco until the Revolution
B. French aristocracy use snuff heavily while working class uses pipes.
C. Virginia assembly legalizes lifelong slavery in 1705
D. "Tobacco Notes" authorized as legal tender in Virginia in 1727, and used throughout the century
E. By 1740, Chesapeake Bay region export half of world's supply of tobacco

1. Production due to more slavery, as well as clearing of virgin land
2. Over 100,000 Africans are imported between 1700 and 1770

F. 1760 Pierre Lorillard establishes a "manufactory" in NYC for processing tobacco
G. Dangers of smoking recognized

1. John Hill: perhaps first clinical evaluation of tobacco effects—warns against cancers of nose in 1761
2. Dr. Percival Pott: reports cancer of the scrotum in chimney sweepers in 1761
3. Sammuel Thomas von Soemmering reports lip cancers in 1795

H. First cigar introduced to America—General Israel Putnam returns to Connecticut with Cuban cigars in 1762. Connecticut becomes known for excellent cigar wrappers.

1. At this time, both men and women smoke publicly

I. American Revolution: British tobacco taxes are a major factor along Chesapeake Bay

VI. Nineteenth Century (Age of the Cigar)

A. American and European women stop smoking due to social pressure but Latin women do not.
B. Snuff use declines due to Queen Victoria's intolerance for stained noses and handkerchiefs
C. Evolution of modern-day Cigarette (as primitive versions smoked by Maya)

1. Popularity increases in Spain and Mediterranean in early 1800's
2. Crimean War between 1854-1856: cigarettes are smoked by British troops

a. Spanish Soldiers influence British/French/Russian friends to smoke "Papeletes"soldiers learn how cheap and convenient cigarettes of French and Turkish soldiers are and bring practice back to England, thus beginning one of world's largest industries
b. Rolling papers are used as cannon fuses

3. Oscar Wilde smokes cigarettes as a sign of social status in 1880's

D. England imports 250,000 pounds of tobacco in 1830.
E. Prosper Merimee's novel, Carmen, published in 1845.
F. Mexican War of 1848 first of several wars to influence smoking habits by exposure to cigarillos and cigars
G. Civil War: both sides rationed cigarettes; many soldiers became regular smokers
H. First tax levied on cigarettes in 1864
I. Phillip Morris begins manufacturing cigarettes and dies in 1873.
J. George Bizet's opera, Carmen plays in 1875
K. First woman employed by Havana factory in 1878 as tobacco sorter, not roller; hence, myth that Cuban cigars are rolled on the thighs of beautiful maidens
L. Bonsack machine is granted first cigarette making machine patent
M. Five leading cigarette firms, including W. Duke Sons & Co., form the American Tobacco Company with Buck Duke as president in 1889
N. Late 1800's, Vicent Martinez-Ybor leads the migration of cigar industry from Havana, Cuba to Ybor City, Latin Quarter of Tampa, Florida Ybor City would be cigar capital for 50 years.
O. Duke ATC monopolizes industry until dissolved in anti-trust action of 1911
P. RJ Reynolds, Inc. is started in 1899

VII. Twentieth Century

A. Tony Clubs feminist answer to Boys Clubs, begin to crop up in Berlin, and eventually Chicago and New York. These were cigar bars usually attended by artists, writers, and demimondaines (women who lost social standing because of sexual promiscuity).
B. 1900 RJ Reynolds reluctantly becomes part of Duke's Tobacco Trust
C. 1902 Phillip Morris sets up a corporation in New York to sell Marlboro
D. By 1909, 15 states have banned cigarette sales.
E. 1909 Baseball's Honus Wagner orders ATC to take his picture off cigarette packs. Most valuable card ever: $500,000
F. Trustbreakers break up American Tobacco Co. in 1911.

Major companies: American Tobacco Co., RJ Reynolds, Liggett and Myers, Lorillard, and BAT. RJ. Reynolds says "watch me give Duke Hell"

G. Liggett and Myers introduces "Chesterfields" in 1912.
H. Birth of the Modern Cigarette: RJ Reynolds introduces Camel in 1913.

1. To compete with Camel, in 1916, American introduces Lucky Strike

I. Kentucky tobacco farmers form "protective association" and destroy factories, crops…and murder other farmers until 1915
J. Cigarette popularity among WWI American Doughboys with no time for cigars: almost whole generation comes back addicted
K. From 1914 to 1925, lung cancer death rate jumps from .6 to 1.7 per 100,000.
L. Frederic J. Pack publishes "Tobacco and Human Efficiency," the most comprehensive anti-tobacco anthology of the time in 1918.
M. America and Europe accept women smoking in 1920's.

1. Roaring 20's aim tobacco ads at women: Flappers.

N. Film stars, political leaders, artists, make smoking part of glamour.
O. Philip Morris introduces Marlboro to women as "mild as may" in 1924.
P. Revenue from tobacco taxes is $500 million, 80% of which comes from cigarette sales, in 1930.
Q. Lucky Strike starts advertising for women in 1927.

1. Between 1925 and 1935, smoking rate triples for women.

R. In 1930 2,357 cases of lung cancer are reported in U.S.; by 1940 the number is 7,121.
S. Publishes Franz Hermann Mullers, "Tobacco Misuse and Lung Carcinoma" in 1939, Showing an extremely high dose relationship between smoking and lung cancer.
T. Lucky Strikes are free during WWII

1. General John J. Pershing queries, "You ask me what we need to win the war? I answer tobacco as much as bullets"
2. Manufacture reaches zenith after WWII, and tobacco becomes considerable revenue for local, state, and federal governments

U. Phillip Morris, in The National Medical Journal, publishes "Don't smoke is advice hard for patients to swallow. May we suggest instead smoking Philip Morris?" Tests showed 3 out of every 4 cases of smokers' cough cleared on changing to Philip Morris" in 1943
V. In 1948 Journal of the American Medical Association condones cigarette smoking: "There does not seem to be any preponderance of evidence that would indicate the abolition of the use of tobacco as a substance contrary to public health.
W. A medical student, Alton Ochsner is summoned to observe lung cancer surgery—a rarity. Seventeen years later, he sees eight cases in six months—all smokers from WWI

1950's to Present

A. Three important studies provide links between smoking and lung cancer:

1. On May 27, 1950 Journal of the American Medical Association: publishes first major study
2. In same issue, "Tobacco Smoking as a Possible Etiologic Factor in Bronchiogenic Carcinoma: A Study of 684 Proved Cases," by Ernst L. Wynder and Evarts A. Graham is published.
3. A Sept 30 British Medical Journal, study by Richard Doll and Bradford Hill reports that heavy smokers fifty times as likely as nonsmokers to contract lung cancer

B. P. Lorillard introduces Kent cigarettes, with an asbestos filter. 1952
C. Dr. Ernst Wynder paints tar on mice backs and causes cancer—first definitive biological link in 1953.
D. 1954 Phillip Morris hires David Hardy to defend against law suit by Missouri smoker who lost larynx to cancer in 1954. Same year, Marlboro man created and advertised as "Delivers the Goods on Flavor"
E. "See It Now"—CBS—First television show on tobacco in 1955, which resulted in TIRC Tobacco Industry Research Committee
F. First Surgeon Generals report: Smoking and Health in 1964.
G. Marlboro Country ad campaign launched in 1964 as "Come to where the flavor is. Come to Marlboro country. Marlboro sales grow at 10% per year in 1964.
H. Women allowed to roll cigars in Cuban factories in 1960's
I. Phillip Morris controls Miller Brewing Co. in 1969.
J. Surgeon General confirms link between maternal smoking and low birth weight in 1969.
K. RJ Reynolds Tobacco becomes RJ Reynolds Industries, Inc. in 1970.
L. TV ads for tobacco products banned in 1971
M. 1971 Cigarette companies begin sponsoring major sports events.

1. NASCAR's Winston Cup series
2. Virginia Slims Tennis

N. In 1971-74 Cigarette manufacturers agree to put health warnings on packs—later made mandatory.
O. Marlboro becomes best-selling cigarette in the world in 1972.
P. Civil Aeronautics Board requires all airlines to create non-smoking sections in 1973.
Q. Marlboro Cup horse racing begins in 1973.
R. RJR senior scientist Frank Colby suggests developing a new RJR youth- appeal brand in 1973.
S. Tobacco Institute launches ad campaign against non-smokers rights movement in 1979.
T. The Health Consequences of Smoking for Women—Surgeon General's Report published in 1980.
U. Insurance Companies begin offering discounts for non-smokers in 1981.
V. Newsweek (6/6) article "Showdown on Smoking" about smokers right's movement appears. No cigarette ads as in previous issues-- $1 million loss in 1983.
W. The Health Consequences of Smoking: Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease—Surgeon General's Report published in 1984.
X. Lung cancer surpasses breast cancer as #1 cancer in women in 1985.
Y. RJ buys Nabisco for $4.9 billion: RJR/Nabisco born in 1985
Z. Phillip Morris purchases General Foods
AA. Australia—Leisel Sholem of Austrailia wins $50,000 in second-hand smoke law suit in 1986
AB. Phillip Morris acquires Kraft for $12.9 billion in 1988.
AC. 1989 Canadian government requires additives to be listed in cigarettes—RJR withdraws its brands and reformulates them so they're different from US version. Phillip Morris withdraws from Canada entirely
AD. JAMA publishes 2 noted studies of Joe Camel and kids in 1991:

1. One finds 91% of 6 year olds can match Joe Camel to his product, and is as recognized as Mickey Mouse
2. Study by Joe DoFranza finds since inception of Joe Camel, Camel's share of under-18 market rose from .5% to 32.8%

AE. "Marlboro Man" Wayne McLaren asks Philip Morris to limit advertising. Dying of lung cancer, he goes to PM's annual shareholders meeting in Richmond. Phillip Morris Chairman Michael Miles says, "We're certainly sorry to hear about your medical problem. Without knowing your medical history, I don't think I can comment any further."
AF. Phillip Morris is nation's #2 advertiser behind Proctor and Gamble in 1993.
AG. EPA declares smoke a Class-A carcinogen cigarette in 1993.
AH. Financial World ranks Marlboro world's No. 2 most valuable brand behind Coca Cola in 1994
AI. In 1994 FDA gets letters from Congress—124 members of House/32 Senators sign similar letters claiming tobacco proposal would put 10,000 jobs at risk. Senators who signed received $31,368 from the tobacco industry, compared to $11,819 who did not.
AJ. In 1995 Castano case begins, A 60-attorney coalition files what will become nation's largest class-action lawsuit claiming that tobacco companies hid knowledge of addiction properties of tobacco.
AK. Joe Camel advertising is banned in mid 1990's
AL. 1995 Tobacco companies give GOP 2.4 million in soft dollars: Phillip Morris $975, 149, RJR Nabisco: 696,450
AM. In 1995, U.S. President Clinton declares nicotine an addictive drug; FDA sends Clinton proposals for regulating sale and marketing of tobacco to minors
AN. Researchers disclose molecular link between substance in tobacco tar and lung cancer in 1996.
AO. Tobacco companies offer settlement, including FDA regulation, money for anti-smoking campaigns, and bans on vending machines and outdoor advertising.
AP. FTC accuses Joe Camel of illegally influencing youth and RJR sues FTC over this
AQ. Landmark settlement pay 3.6 billion dollars to the state of Missouri for smoking-related injuries (1997)
AR. Landmark settlement pays Florida 11.3 billion over 25 years for Medicaid spent on smoking-related illness in 1997.
AS. In 1998, landmark settlement industry spend $368 billion over 25 years, mainly on anti-smoking campaigns.
AT. Federal appeals court panel gives big tobacco a foothold toward regaining its stance by rejecting the FDA claim to authority to regulate tobacco (September 1998), reversing lower court decision.
AU. The following are predictions given by Judith Mackay, FRCP, in "The Global Tobacco Epidemic: The Next 25 Years":

1. By 2025, no tobacco will be grown in U.S. (grown elsewhere instead)
2. Total number of smokers will rise due to population growth, people living longer, more women smoking.
3. Three times as many people will die of tobacco-related causes, from 3% to 9%, with China being worst
4. Developing countries will suffer most, with 15% of smokers living in rich countries
5. Women smokers will increase from 8% to 20% in developing countries
6. Severe economic effects—$200 billion greater than economic gain, and this will only get worse
7. Tobacco will be a low priority for most governments
8. One thing that may reduce tobacco production is food growing.

AV. Federal Regulations:

1. Prohibit smoking on interstate and passenger-carrying motor vehicles
2. Prohibit smoking in all areas of Bureau of Prison facilities and vehicles
3. Prohibit smoking in no smoking buildings and facilities controlled by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
4. Prohibit smoking on all commercial airline flights of 6 hours or less, excluding Alaska or Hawaiii
5. Cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, and smokeless tobacco imported into U.S. are subject to Federal Excise Tax under 26 U.S. Code
6. $4 carton price increase on military bases to discourage soldiers from smoking; however, six DOD (Department of Defense) services sell tobacco at a subsidized rate to servicemen and women