a history of

Smoking

1492 Christopher Columbus discovers tobacco being smoked in the New World, and the habit comes back to Spain.

1560 Jean Nicot, an ambassador to Portugal, sends tobacco plants to the French court - nicotine is named after him.

1604 King James introduces tax on tobacco

1693 Smoking is banned in the House of Commons Chamber

1761 The first clinical study of tobacco warns snuff users about nasal cancer

1847 Philip Morris opens a cigarette shop in London.

1908 Sale of tabacco to under 16's is banned.

1951 The link between smoking and lung cancer is established

1965 TV advertising of cigarettes in bannned

1984 The UK has it's first No Smoking Day