Tobacco

= Tobacco =

Available in Europe, where it was grown in modest amounts, tobacco had grown in popularity since the 16th century. The West Indies also started to contribute to the market of tobacco. By the late 17th century it was common for the elite to inhale the smoke of tobacco through a pipe or to use snuff. Snuff is finely grinded tobacco that is taken in through the nose, aka being "snuffed".

Tobacco comes into use as "Country Money" or "Country Pay" in the colonies. Tobacco continues to be used as a monetary standard -- literally a "cash crop" -- throughout the 17th and 18th Centuries, lasting twice as long as the gold standard.

Smoking tobacco is thought to have a protective effect. Smoking is made compulsory at Eton to ward off infection from the plague and other such diseases. However bans are put in place to prevent smoking inside as a fire hazard.

The use of tobacco is a gentleman's pursuit.