Some interesting tidbits about tobacco. Stumbled upon it looking for news about entheogens...
May 6, written by Dr. S.D.Shanmugakumar
TOBACCO is an agricultural product processed from the fresh leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed in the form of nicotine tartarate, which is used as adjuvant in some medicines. It can be consumed in the form of smoking, chewing, snuffing, dipping tobacco or snus.
Tobacco has been used as an entheogen in the Americas. But, after the arrival of Europeans in North America, it quickly became popularised as trade item and as recreational drug. This popularisation led to an economic boom in the United States, resulting in the growth of tobacco companies in the mid -1900’s.
The word Nicotiana was named in honour of Jean Nicot, French ambassador to Portugal, who in 1559 sent it as a medicine to the court of Catherine de Medici. Because of the addictive properties of nicotine, tolerance and dependence developed. Absorption quantity, frequency and speed tobacco consumption are believed to be directly related to biological strength of nicotine dependence, addiction and tolerance. According to World Health Organisation reports, 5.4 millions annually die because of consumption of tobacco.
Etymology:
The Spanish word 'Tabaco' is thought to be originated in Arawakan language of the Caribbean. Similar words were also utilised in Spanish and Italian in the year 1410. Arabic language supports the Tabbaq from ninth century.
Types of Tobacco:
* Aromatic Fire cured
* Bright leaf tobacco
* Burley tobacco
* Caven dish
* Criollo tobacco
* Dokham
* Oriental tobacco
* Perique
* Shade tobacco
* White burley
* Wild tobacco
* Y1
Consumption:
Tobacco products were been categorised as:
Beedi which are thin, often flavoured, south Asian cigarettes made of tobacco wrapped in a tendu leaf and secured with coloured thread at one end.
Chewing tobacco is one of the oldest ways of consuming tobacco leaves. It is consumed orally in two forms: through sweetened strands or in a shredded form. Small amounts were placed at a bottom of the lip, between the gum and teeth.
Cigars were tightly rolled bundle dried and fermented tobacco, which is ignited produces smoke which can be drawn in to the smoker’s mouth.
Creamy snuff are tobacco paste, which comprises of tobacco, clove oil, glycerin, spear mint, menthol and camphor and sold in a tooth paste. The brand names are Ipco, Denobac, Tona and Mishri
Gutkha and Hookah are a preparation of crushed betel nut, tobacco and sweet or savory flavourings. It is manufactured in India and exported to a few other countries. A mild stimulant, it is sold across India in small, individual-size packets.
Snus is steam-cured moist powder tobacco product that is not fermented and does not induce salivation. It is consumed by placing it in the mouth against the gums for an extended period of time. It is a form of snuff that is used in a manner similar to American dipping tobacco, but does not require regular spitting.
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Health hazards:
Tobacco consumption is a wide problem for a multi-million people nation like India. The consumption of tobacco is seen as a major reason of oral cancer in the country. According to a survey conducted in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, the starting age of tobacco consumption is 10-18 years. The survey also found that nearly, 3,422 children were affected by the oral cancer across the capital.
A recent study in 52 countries has revealed that 35.7 per cent of myocardial infractions were attributed to smoking. Smoking is a health hazard because so many people lose their lives due to smoking-related diseases. Smoking affects different parts of the body, which includes heart, lungs and brain.
Lung cancer accounts for 22 per cent of cancer deaths. Ninety per cent of the people, who get cancer of the throat and mouth because they used tobacco. Forty years of smoking causes 60 per cent greater chance of getting lung cancer. Smoking can also ruin your appearance by staining your teeth, yellowing your finger nails and causes wrinkles, gum disease, tooth decay and bad breadth. Asthmatic effect would also be caused due to the hypersensitivity of tobacco consumption.
Thus, pledge to say no to cigar and tobacco products, in order to prevent lung and oral cancer. If you quit tobacco today, you may save many lives and younger generation from being the victims of tobacco.
MeriNews
