| Cigars have been popular for centuries and | | | | where the word tobacco came from. Some |
| still remain so, particularly amongst the | | | | believe it originated in Mexico in the |
| affluent although people of all classes enjoy | | | | current state of Tabasco. Others believe that |
| them. There are even "Cigar Bars" that carry | | | | it comes from a Caribbean island named |
| a wide selection to choose from. Many patrons | | | | Tobago. The Mississippi tribes were probably |
| go there so they can sit back and puff on the | | | | the first to begin using it in North America. |
| brand of their choice and socialize with | | | | In 1612, the first tobacco plantation was |
| other cigar smokers. Tobacco has an even | | | | established in Virginia and more plantations |
| longer history that spans not only time but | | | | began to crop up in Maryland and other parts |
| continents as well. | | | | of the south. |
| | | | |
| The History of Tobacco | | | | The History of Cigars |
| | | | |
| Tobacco, a plant native to the Americas, was | | | | A cigar is rolled tobacco that is wrapped in |
| grown and used by the Mayans. These were the | | | | tobacco leaves. They come in different shapes |
| indigenous people of Mexico and parts of | | | | and sizes. The origin of the cigar has been |
| Central America. The popularity of this plant | | | | attributed to Spain. Their popularity |
| spread throughout the north and south as | | | | increased in the early 19th century after the |
| other tribes began to cultivate it. After | | | | Peninsula War, when the soldiers returned |
| Christopher Columbus came to the Americas in | | | | home from Spain. In the United States, |
| 1412, tobacco reached international attention | | | | tobacco was smoked in pipes. |
| and became popular in Europe as well. | | | | |
| | | | Cigars were introduced there by an army |
| The sailors learned of it from the natives | | | | general named Israel Putnam, in the late 18th |
| and found that they enjoyed using it. They | | | | century. It is said that he discovered them |
| brought it back with them to Spain and | | | | in Cuba, after the Revolutionary war and |
| Portugal when they returned from that famous | | | | enjoyed them so much that he brought them |
| trip. There, its usage became more widespread | | | | back with him to the United States. The first |
| when it began to be used by the people in | | | | cigar factory in the United States was |
| France. It was so popular there, that the | | | | established in Connecticut, near his hometown |
| French Ambassador, Jean Nicot allowed | | | | of Hartford. |
| scientists to link his name to it, hence the | | | | |
| word nicotine. | | | | Today, there are many types and brands of |
| | | | cigars to choose from. Smoking cigars remains |
| The actual scientific name for the plant is | | | | a popular past time for people all over the |
| Nicotiana tabacum. There is some debate over | | | | world and will probably continue to do so. |