1492

Columbus discovers tobacco in the New World.  He is offered “certain dried leaves” which, he records in his journal, “gave off a distinct fragrance.”

1730

First American tobacco factories established in Virginia.

1760

Pierre Lorillard established a “manufactory” in New York City for processing pipe tobacco, cigars, and snuff.

1830s

First organized anti- tobacco movement in the US begins as a adjunct to the temperance movement.

1832

Egyptian soldiers credited with the invention of the modern cigarette.

1847

Philip Morris opens a shop in Bond Street, London, selling hand- rolled Turkish cigarettes.

1902

Philip Morris sets up a corporation in New York to sell its British brands, including one called ‘Marlboro.’

1916

Cigarette smoking becomes widespread among soldiers, as tobacco is included in army rations during the First World War.

1927

British American Tobacco acquires Brown & Williamson.

1939

“Tobacco misuse and lung carcinoma” by Franz Hermann Muller of the University of Cologne, is the first major report to find a strong link between smoking and lung cancer.

1939-
1945

World War II: As part of the war effort, US President Roosevelt makes tobacco a protected crop.  Cigarettes are included in soldiers’ rations (as they were in World War I).  Millions of free cigarettes are sent to troops.

1953

Dr. Ernst L Wynder’s landmark report finds that painting cigarette tar on the backs of mice creates tumors.  This is the first biological link between smoking and cancer.

1964

1st Surgeon General Report on Smoking and Health– The US Surgeon General produced his first report on “Smoking and Health.”

1965

Cigarette Ads Banned from TV– After considerable debate, the government used the powers vested in it under the terms of the 1964 Television Act to ban cigarette advertisements on television.

1981

Annual consumption peaks at 640 billion cigarettes, 60% of which are low- tar brands.

1983

The creative director of a New York advertising agency spoke of working on tobacco advertisements, “We were trying very hard to influence kids who were 14 to start smoking.” (Medical Journal of Australia, 5 March 1983, p. 237)

1987

Congress bans smoking on domestic flights of less than two hours.  Takes effect in 1988.

Joe Camel Debuts in USA

1988

Teen Smokers: 710,000

1991

JAMA publishes 2 noted studies of Joe Camel and kids:

• One finds that 91% of 6 year olds can match Joe Camel to his product (cigarettes), and is as recognized by preschoolers as Mickey Mouse.
• The other study, by Joe DiFranza, finds that since the inception of the Joe Camel campaign in 1987, Camel’s share of the under 18 market had risen from 0.5% to 32.8%.

1992

Nicotine patch for cessation is introduced.

“Marlboro Man” Wayne McLaren, 51, dies of Lung Cancer

1993

President Clinton bans smoking in the White House.

Vermont is the first state in the nation to ban indoor smoking.

1995

Florida sues tobacco to recoup health care costs.

FDA declares nicotine is a drug.

The 4 largest companies file suit in a North Carolina court challenging the FDA’s authority to regulate tobacco and advertising.

1996

New Teen Smokers: 1.23 million

CBS airs Dr. Wigand Interview on 60 Minutes.  Wigand claims B&W Chief Sandefur lied when telling Congress he believed nicotine was not addictive.

President Clinton approves proposed FDA regulations, giving FDA authority to regulate cigarettes as a “drug delivery device.”

1997

Liggett issues statement: “We at Liggett know and acknowledge that, as the Surgeon General and respected medical researchers have found, cigarette smoking causes health problems, including lung cancer, heart and vascular disease and emphysema.  Liggett acknowledges that tobacco is marketed to ‘youth,’ which means those under 18 year of age, and not just those 18-24 years of age.”

RJR kills JOE CAMEL campaign, replaces Joe with darker, sexier “What You’re Looking For.”

1998

The MSA - A $206 billion settlement is agreed between the principal US tobacco companies and 46 states that had sued to recover the cost of treating people with smoking-related diseases. The deal requires the companies to make payments to the states over 25 year plus an additional $1.45 billion to fund national anti-smoking campaigns. The companies also agree not to market to young people and to limit tobacco sponsorship of sport to one event per year.

1999

A jury in Florida finds tobacco companies guilty of making a “defective and addictive” product, and for conspiring to hide the dangers of smoking.  The class action, known as the Engle case after the lead plaintiff Howard Engle, is the first to go to trial.

The US Department of Justice files a multi- billion dollar civil lawsuit against tobacco to recoup money spent on health care for smoking- related diseases.  The lawsuit also includes a civil RICO (Racketeer Influenced, Corrupt Organizations Act) charge that would allow the government to seek a portion of any “ill- gotten” tobacco profits.

Philip Morris acknowledges scientific consensus on smoking.

2000

The US Supreme Court rules that the Food and Drug Administration lacks the power to regulate tobacco.

Engle Jury Awards Florida Smokers Punitive Damages of $145 billion