The Tobacco Growing Debate

The Tobacco Growing Debate

According to Thomas Hariot, the discovery of tobacco was a blessing. In his report, Hariot tells of the wonderful uses of tobacco, saying “its use not only preserves the body, but if there are any obstructions it breaks them up.” He cites the use of tobacco as being the reason the Native Americans are in such remarkable health, and marvels at the fact that diseases prevalent among the British have not afflicted the Indians. Hariot did not know that it was he and his men who initially brought their diseases into the Indian community, and that their introduction would play a central role in the decline of Indian population. Tobacco had absolutely nothing to do with the Indians’ good health.
James I had a dramatically different view of tobacco and despised its use. He was very forthcoming in how he felt about tobacco, saying it is “a custom loathsome to the eye, hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, dangerous to the lungs, and in the black stinking fume thereof nearest resembling the horrible stygian smoke of the pit that is bottomless.” It amazes me that James I had the foresight to know that tobacco was, in fact, harmful to the body. Unfortunately, the feelings conveyed by James I did not stop the American colonists or the people of Britain from using tobacco.
Smoking was widely accepted in our society until recent years, when the harmful effects of tobacco use were made blatantly clear through public service announcements, education within the schools and warnings from the Surgeon General. Scientific evidence clearly states that it is harmful to the human body and is the single most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States. It contributes to heart disease and several forms of cancer, and ultimately shortens life. In spite of these facts, people continue to risk their health by using tobacco. Much like smokers today, Hariot and the others continued to smoke tobacco after being told it was unhealthy. Today we find ourselves...

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