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