The Social History of Smoking

"The Social History of Smoking" by George Latimer Apperson is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book explores the evolution of smoking in England, focusing on its social aspects and the changing attitudes of society toward the practice. Apperson endeavors to provide a comprehensive view on how smoking, particularly tobacco use, reflected and influenced social customs and fashions through the ages. The opening of the text details the historical context of smoking in England, tracing its roots back to before the introduction of tobacco after its arrival from the Americas. Apperson discusses early claims regarding who first smoked tobacco in England and mentions notable figures like Sir Walter Raleigh, who played a significant role in popularizing the practice. He emphasizes that smoking was initially viewed more as a pleasurable social activity rather than a medicinal one, paving the way for further discussion on how it expanded across various social classes and eventually became both fashionable and pervasive in society. The introduction sets the stage for a detailed examination of smoking's history, reflecting both its cultural significance and the many contradictions that arose alongside its adoption.