On 15 November 1492, Christopher Columbus made an intriguing entry in his journal that would mark the earliest European account of tobacco, a plant deeply woven into the lives and rituals of the indigenous peoples he encountered.
While exploring what is now Cuba, he observed the locals rolling and lighting leaves, inhaling the smoke—a ritual that he and his crew had never seen before.
Describing the plant as a curious yet potent discovery, Columbus likely had little idea of the transformative role tobacco would play in Europe.
This initial encounter marked the beginning of tobacco’s global journey, setting the stage for its later widespread cultivation, trade, and even dependency across continents.
