smoking.mobi

Smoking is the practice where tobacco is burned and the vapors either tasted or inhaled. The practice began as early as 5000–3000 BC. Many civilizations burnt incense during their religious rituals, but this was later adopted for pleasure or as a social tool. Tobacco was introduced to the old world in the late 1500s where it followed common trade routes.

The substance was often met with frequent criticism, but did become popular nonetheless. Scientists formally identified the link between smoking and lung cancer during the late 1920s leading the first ever anti-smoking campaign in modern history. The movement, however, failed to reach across enemy lines during WWII, and quickly became unpopular thereafter.

In 1950, health authorities again began to suggest a relationship between smoking and cancer. Scientific evidence mounted in the early 1980s, which prompted political action against the practice. Rates of consumption from 1965 onward in the developed world have either peaked or declined. They however continue to climb throughout the developing world.