Tobacco:

Tobacco, derived from the leaves of the Nicotiana tabacum plant, has a long and complex history as one of the most widely used psychoactive substances. While native to the Americas, tobacco cultivation and use have spread globally, shaping cultural practices and economies. The primary allure of tobacco lies in its nicotine content, a highly addictive alkaloid that stimulates the nervous system.

Tobacco, cultural practices:

The cultivation of tobacco is an annual process, beginning with germination in cold frames or hotbeds and transplanting to fields. It thrives in warm climates with rich, well-drained soil, covering about 4.2 million hectares globally in 2000, yielding over seven million tones of tobacco.

Sowing and Growth:

· Seeds are scattered on the soil surface, germinating through light activation.

· In colonial Virginia, seedbeds were fertilized with wood ash or animal manure.

· Young plants faced threats from flea beetles, leading to protective measures.

· In Asia, Oceania, and the Indian subcontinent, the tobacco cutworm poses challenges.

· Shade tobacco involves growing plants under cheesecloth for cigar wrappings.

Harvest:

· Tobacco can be harvested by cutting the entire plant or pulling individual ripened leaves.

· Topping and suckering ensure energy directs to large, harvestable leaves.

· "Cropping," "Pulling," and "Priming" involve removing mature leaves from the bottom up.

· First-crop leaves close to the ground, known as "sand lugs," are challenging to work with.

· Modern harvesting methods involve mechanized equipment, but some use traditional methods.

· Rare tobaccos are often cured on the farm.

Global Production Trends:

· Tobacco leaf production increased 40% between 1971 and 1997, reaching 5.9 million tons.

· Developing nations drove the production growth by 128%, contrasting with a decline in developed countries.

· China became the largest contributor, with a 47% share of the world market by 1997.

· China is a leading country generating highest revenue from Tobacco market, with US$293,800 m in year 2023.

Major Producers:

· China, India, Brazil, and the United States are major tobacco producers.

· In the U.S., North Carolina led production, facing economic challenges due to declining smokers.

· China's tobacco production dominance is supported by a high import tariff.

· Brazil has family farmers engaged in tobacco production, but government attempts to reduce production have been limited.

· India, the second-largest producer after China and Brazil, has government-supported research centers.

Problems in Tobacco Production:

· Child labor is prevalent, with hazardous conditions and exposure to nicotine poisoning.

· Profit distribution favors large tobacco companies over local farmers.

· Government subsidies, global encouragement, and market glut pose economic challenges.

· Pesticide use, exacerbated by the desire for bigger crops, harms farmers and the environment.

· Fertilization involves radioactive substances, posing health risks for both farmers and smokers.

Tobacco products:

Cigarette smoking stands as the predominant form of tobacco consumption globally. The origin of smoking dates back to the Scythians, who initially conceptualized the practice. However, the transformation of tobacco consumption occurred significantly with the invention of the cigarette-making machine by James Bonsack in 1881. This revolutionary machine had the capability to produce an impressive quantity, reaching up to 120,000 cigarettes per day. The advent of the cigarette-making machine marked a pivotal moment in the tobacco industry, shaping the widespread prevalence of cigarette smoking that continues to influence public health and societal norms today. Other tobacco products include:

1. Waterpipe tobacco (hookah or shisha)

2. Smokeless tobacco products (chewing tobacco, snuff, and snus)

3. Other products include cigarillos, pipe tobacco, cigars, tobacco leaf roll, bidis and kreteks

Cigars:

Cigars, wrapped with tobacco leaves, commonly known as natural cigars, feature an outer layer composed entirely of tobacco. This attribute imparts a traditional and authentic flavor, coupled with a distinctive aroma. In contrast, cigars wrapped with cellophane paper, often referred to as cello-wrapped cigars, come with a protective cellophane covering encasing the tobacco. While serving to maintain the cigar's freshness and safeguard it during transportation and storage, this covering has minimal impact on the taste or aroma of the cigar.

Smokeless Tobacco:

Most users of smokeless tobacco position the product in the cheek or between their gum and cheek, engaging in the practice of sucking on the tobacco and subsequently either spitting out or swallowing the juices. Commonly known as spit tobacco, smokeless tobacco takes various forms, including emerging products like snus, which eliminate the need for users to spit or dissolve when placed in the mouth. A report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests that dissolvable tobacco products may contribute to increased overall tobacco use by potentially enticing young individuals to initiate tobacco use or dissuading current smokers from quitting. In the United States, smokeless tobacco is broadly categorized into two main types: chewing tobacco and snuff.

Chewing Tobacco: This includes various forms such as leaf, plug, and twist.

Snuff: A finely ground tobacco product available in dry, moist, or pouch forms.

Despite attempts to position smokeless tobacco as a safer alternative to smoking, it poses significant health risks. It contains nicotine, the same addictive substance found in other tobacco products. The health risks associated with smokeless tobacco use include:

Linkage to various types of cancer, including cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas.
Presence of at least 28 cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens).
Association with gum disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and the development of white or gray patches inside the mouth, known as leukoplakia, which can lead to cancer.
Increased risk of complications during pregnancy, including early delivery and stillbirth.

Five leading tobacco companies:

1. Philip Morris International

2. British American Tobacco

3. Imperial Brands

4. Japan Tobacco International

5. China National Tobacco Company

Harmful chemicals in tobacco:

Tobacco smoke is a complex mixture of over 7,000 chemicals, and approximately 600 ingredients are present in cigarettes. Among these compounds, at least 69 are identified as carcinogens, and numerous others are known to be toxic. Unlike certain consumer products with explicit warning labels, such as those containing rat poison, tobacco smoke lacks a comparable warning regarding its hazardous constituents. Below are some of the chemicals found in tobacco smoke

1. Cigars:

· Nitrosamines: Known carcinogens, formed during the curing and aging of tobacco.

· Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines (TSNAs): Carcinogenic compounds specific to tobacco.

· Cadmium: A heavy metal associated with cardiovascular and respiratory issues.

2. Smokeless Tobacco (Chewing Tobacco, Snuff):

· Polonium-210: A radioactive element linked to cancer.

· Lead: Harmful heavy metal that can affect the nervous system.

· Arsenic: Toxic metal associated with various health problems.

3. Pipe Tobacco:

· Carbon Monoxide: Poisonous gas that interferes with oxygen transport in the body.

· Acrolein: Irritant and potential respiratory toxicant.

· Ethyl Carbamate: A possible human carcinogen.

4. Hookah (Water Pipe):

· Carbon Monoxide: Harmful gas that reduces oxygen supply to the body.

· Volatile Aldehydes: Irritants that can contribute to respiratory issues.

· Heavy Metals: Including arsenic, lead, and nickel.

5. Electronic Cigarettes (E-cigarettes, Vaping):

· Propylene Glycol: A lung irritant commonly used in e-liquids.

· Vegetable Glycerin: Another common e-liquid component with potential health risks.

· Acetaldehyde: A respiratory irritant and potential carcinogen.

6. Cigarettes:

· Nicotine: An addictive substance that stimulates the central nervous system.

· Carbon Monoxide: A poisonous gas that interferes with the body's ability to transport oxygen.

· Formaldehyde: A chemical used in the embalming process and known to cause respiratory and skin irritation.

· Hydrogen Cyanide: A highly toxic gas with potential adverse effects on various organs.

· Arsenic: A toxic metal associated with cancer and other health problems.

· Lead: A heavy metal that can negatively impact the nervous system and cause developmental issues.

· Ammonia: A compound commonly found in cleaning products, with respiratory and eye irritation potential.

· Benzene: An industrial chemical linked to leukemia and other blood-related disorders.

· Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): Known carcinogens formed during the combustion of organic matter.

· Acetone: A solvent with potential harmful effects on the respiratory system.

Common worldwide tobacco brand names:

· Amouage Royal Tobacco

· Beechnut Chewing Tobacco

· Big Red Chewing Tobacco

· Charuto Tobacco Vanilla

· Chewing Tobacco Wintergreen

· Lancaster Chewing Tobacco

· Leaf Tobacco Chew

· Levi Cigarrett Chewing Tobacco

· Longhorn Chewing Tobacco

· Mancera Red Tobacco Intense

· Monarch Red Tobacco Vanilla

· Mottahedeh Tobacco Leaf

· Red River Tobacco

· Red Seal Tobacco

· Starr Chewing Tobacco

· Stokers Chew Tobacco

· Tobacco Vanilla Candle

· Tobacco Leaf Ginger Jar

· Tobacco Leaf Lamp

· Tobacco Leaf Wrapped

· Vanilla Pipe Tobacco

Search This Blog

Community Wellness

Tobacco, cutlrural practices, products, brands and their harmful effects