Since ages, there has been an observance of smoking performed by humans. The practice of smoking has roots in cultural customs or traditions and has eventually evolved into a practice performed by individuals for personal entertainment and enjoyment. Smoking has long been a practice executed by individuals across many cultures. From last century, the term smoking is viewed from different perspectives. It has gone from a socially acceptable norm to one with a heavily tarnished reputation.

In the early days, advertisements for smoking used to appear in television where one can witness it being endorsed by the famous stars of that era. Cartoon characters and celebrities touted their preferred brands of cigarettes for their smoothness and flavor.

During 1560, Jean Nicot, a Frenchman introduced tobacco in France. The word “nicotine” is derived from the name Nicot. Later, tobacco spread to England from France. In 1556, the first report of smoking was evident when a sailor in Bristol was seen releasing smoke from his nostrils. At the same time Portuguese brought tobacco to southern Africa and then caravans from Morocco brought it to areas around Timbuktu, instituting the popularity of tobacco all over Africa by 1650s. Pre-17th century marks the origin of tobacco production in the United States. After American Revolution started, the demand for tobacco in US increased mainly in the form of chewing tobacco and cigars. Despite the attempts of several rulers to ban the use of tobacco, by the mid- 17th century tobacco smoking was assimilated into the native culture of every major civilization. In the late 18th century, the word “smoking” was coined in English language; previously the practice was termed as “drinking smoke”. In 1881, James Bonsack, a craftsman, manufactured a machine to raise the production of cigarettes.

During 1930s, there was an evidence linking smoking cigarette with cancer which quickly increased during mid-1940s and early 1950s. In 1950, study revealed the strong connection of cigarette smoking with lung cancer. It took a long time for people to connect cancer with smoking in the evolution of smoking.  Many smokers and tobacco companies refused to acknowledge this connection on the basis that the truth seems to be very unreal to accept. But with time, tobacco companies, undeniable statistics, medical evidence confirmed that smoking is a killer.

Now-a-days, one won’t see celebrities’ openly advertising tobacco and even smoking scenes in movies are restricted to a greater extent.