Tobacco (Many Wonderful Things)

Tobacco is a product prepared from the leaves of the tobacco plant by curing. The plant comes from either the genus Nicotiana or Nocternana, both from the family Solanacaea (nightshade). While more than 80 species are known in the world, the chief commercial crop is N. tabacum.

Tobacco uses alkaloid nicotine, which is a stimulant. Dried tobacco leaves are mainly used for smoking in cigarettes and cigars. Tobacco is a risk factor for many diseases, especially those affecting the heart and lungs, as well as many cancers. It is the leading cause of preventable death