History:

• 1492. Columbus ‘discovered’ America, and tobacco. After learning how to cultivate it from Native Americans, he shipped some back home. The addiction has lasted ever since. Thanks a lot, Chris.
• WWII. The tobacco industry gave free tobacco to soldiers as part of their rations. Thousands of newly addicted smokers returned home after the war.
• Cancer. The tobacco industry realized that smoking caused cancer in the 50’s, but hey, that’s bad for business. It wasn’t til the late 60’s that warnings had to be put on the packs.
• Marlboro Man. He was one of the most successful advertising images of all time. Unfortunately, several men have had to fill the role, because they keep dying from their use of tobacco.
• Camel Land? In the early 90’s, Joe Camel was more recognizable to a three-year-old than Mickey Mouse.
• Busted! 46 states sued the tobacco industry for all the bad things they have been doing, and continue to do. This gave rise to many of today’s prevention efforts.