What is the scientific name of the main commercial tobacco plant?
The chief commercial crop of tobacco is Nicotiana tabacum. Seventy-nine species of tobacco are known, but this species is the primary one used for commercial products.
Common questions about Tobacco
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did the first European bring tobacco seeds to the Old World?
Francisco Hernández de Toledo brought tobacco seeds to the Old World in 1559 following orders of King Philip II of Spain. These seeds were planted in the outskirts of Toledo in an area known as Los Cigarrales.
How many deaths did tobacco cause globally in 2004 according to the World Health Organization?
The World Health Organization estimates that tobacco caused 5.4 million deaths in 2004. Tobacco use was named the world's single greatest preventable cause of death in 2008.
Which country was the first to approve commercial planting of a genetically modified tobacco crop?
China became the first country in the world to approve commercial planting of a genetically modified tobacco crop in 1993. The Chinese virus-resistant tobacco was withdrawn from the market in China in 1997.
What is the estimated global tobacco market value in 2010 excluding China?
The global tobacco market in 2010 was estimated at US$760 billion excluding China. Global revenues from tobacco taxes in 2013 and 2014 were approximately $269 billion.