Christopher Columbus
Smoking was unknown in Europe until Christopher Columbus, at the end of his second voyage in 1496, brought tobacco back from the New World, where he had seen it in use. Tobacco use spread rapidly, despite severe penalties for its possession or importation in many Asian and Middle Eastern countries.
On October 15, 1492, Christopher Columbus was offered dried tobacco leaves as a gift from the American Indians that he encountered. Soon after, sailors brought tobacco back to Europe, and the plant was being grown all over Europe.
The major reason for tobacco's growing popularity in Europe was its supposed healing properties. Europeans believed that tobacco could cure almost anything, from bad breath to cancer!
The major reason for tobacco's growing popularity in Europe was its supposed healing properties. Europeans believed that tobacco could cure almost anything, from bad breath to cancer!