continued as well. The Chinese stopped the production or consumption of
             tobacco in 1612. Twelve years later, another pope, Urban VIII, banned
             snuff, because he associated it with sexual arousal. In Persia, four years
             later, two merchants were punished for selling tobacco and had hot lead
             poured down their throats. In 1693, the English Parliament ruled against
             plant for its committee tables, and the Russian Church tried to persuade
             Peter the Great in Russia to stop its trade (ibid).
             The next two hundred years saw the widespread cultivation, use and
             industrialization of the tobacco industry. It had become a mainstay of
             trade and business. Yet, those against the plant and its products continued
             vocal. Near the end of the 19th century, some groups in the United States
             started calling for its prohibition. By the 1890s, 14 states had banned the
             use of tobacco and another 23 had given some thought to the prohibition.
             Some people even suggested labeling the product with the word "poison"
             In the 1900s, the laws for and a
             ...