British tobacco taxes are a further grievance. Tobacco helps finance the Revolution by serving as collateral for loans from France. The U.S Congress passes its first tax on tobacco. The tax of 8 cents applies only to snuff, not the more plebian chewing or smoking tobacco. Famed physician Benjamin Rush writes on the medical dangers of tobacco and claims that smoking or chewing tobacco leads to drunkenness.
Tobacco begins being commercially grown.
The cigar becomes so popular that within four years, England will be importing 250,000 pounds of cigars a year. First organized anti-tobacco movement in US begins as adjunct to the temperance movement. TUCK patents curing method for Virginia leaf. Charcoal used in flue-curing for the first time in North Carolina. Not only cheaper, its intense heat turns the thinner, low-nicotine Piedmont leaf a brilliant golden color.