Tobacco

Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the fresh leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. Its most common usage is for smoking (see tobacco smoking) in the form of a cigarette or cigar. Tobacco has been growing on both American continents since about 6000 BC and began being used by native cultures at about 3000 BC. It has been smoked in one form or another since about 2000 BC. There are drawings of ancient Mayans smoking cigars from about 1400 BC. Tobacco has a very long history of use in Native American culture and played an important part in the foundation of the United States of America, going back to colonial times and the original Jamestown settlement. Even in the 26th Century, Tobacco is still an important commercial commodity, used in cigars, cigarettes, and the fillings of pipes.

Tobacco is commercially available almost everywhere in dried, cured, and natural forms. In addition to being consumed as cigarettes and cigars, it can be smoked in a stem pipe, water pipe, or hookah. Tobacco can also be chewed, "dipped" (placed between the cheek and gum), or sniffed into the nose as finely powdered snuff. Many countries set a minimum smoking age, regulating the purchase and use of tobacco products. Bhutan is the only country in the world where tobacco sales are illegal. According to the World Health Organization, tobacco smoke is the second biggest cause of death worldwide, just between hunger and malaria, having killed 100 million people in the 20th century, and predicted to kill one billion in the 21st century.

All methods of tobacco consumption result in varying quantities of nicotine being absorbed into the user's bloodstream. Over time, tolerance and dependence develop. Absorption quantity, frequency, and speed seem to have a direct relationship with how strong a dependence (or addiction) and tolerance, if any, might be created.

Although not native to Earth, Hookah Tobacco is used by San 'Shyuum as a stimulant.

Warning: For those at home, do not attempt the use of tobacco.

Know users

 * Captain Jacob Keyes is known to have smoked it in a pipe,
 * Sergeant Johnson smoked tobacco in a cigar.
 * The Minister of Fortitude once smoked Hookah tobacco to increase his mental faculties during a meeting.