1000 BC The first recorded instances of smoking. The Mayan civilisation smoked the leaves of the tobacco plant.
1492 Christopher Columbus was probably the first European to see the tobacco plant - but he did not smoke!
1560 A French ambassador, Jean Nicot, sent tobacco and seeds from Brazil to Paris, saying they had health benefits. The tobacco plant is named Nicotiana tabacum after Nicot, as is nicotine.
1604 King James I introduced a tax on tobacco. A staunch anti-smoker, he wrote 'A Counterblaste to Tobacco', which told of his dislike for tobacco and smoking!
1761 Snuff users were warned of the dangers of developing nasal cancer.
1868 Smoke free railway carriages were introduced.
1908 The sale of tobacco to under 16s was banned.
1956 It was proven that tobacco smoking increased the risk of lung cancer and other diseases.
1984 The first No Smoking Day in the UK was held.
1992 Smoking could be listed as a cause of death on death certificates.
1999 Tobacco advertising was banned in the UK.
2006 Scotland became smoke free (in enclosed public spaces). England, Wales and Northern Ireland followed suit in 2007.
Visit our online store to order our resources about smoking.
1000 BC The first recorded instances of smoking. The Mayan civilisation smoked the leaves of the tobacco plant.
1492 Christopher Columbus was probably the first European to see the tobacco plant - but he did not smoke!
1560 A French ambassador, Jean Nicot, sent tobacco and seeds from Brazil to Paris, saying they had health benefits. The tobacco plant is named Nicotiana tabacum after Nicot, as is nicotine.
1604 King James I introduced a tax on tobacco. A staunch anti-smoker, he wrote 'A Counterblaste to Tobacco', which told of his dislike for tobacco and smoking!
1761 Snuff users were warned of the dangers of developing nasal cancer.
1868 Smoke free railway carriages were introduced.
1908 The sale of tobacco to under 16s was banned.
1956 It was proven that tobacco smoking increased the risk of lung cancer and other diseases.
1984 The first No Smoking Day in the UK was held.
1992 Smoking could be listed as a cause of death on death certificates.
1999 Tobacco advertising was banned in the UK.
2006 Scotland became smoke free (in enclosed public spaces). England, Wales and Northern Ireland followed suit in 2007.
Visit our online store to order our resources about smoking.