Comenius project “Mutual Cultural Influence of Colonization

and Migration”General Secondary School “Hristo

Botev” – Aytos, Bulgaria

Tobacco-Origin, meaning and distribution…

Origin…Tobacco comes from America, where it has long been

used by Native American shamans and healers. After his transfer to Europe, tobacco quickly gained

popularity, becoming one of the main economic engines of European colonization of America.

The scientific name of the genus, Nicotiana, is given in honor of Jean Nico. Frenchman Jean Nico was sent to Lisbon and returned home with seeds of tobacco. He began to use the leaves to treat various diseases.

Jean Nico…

Meaning…Mostly are used tobacco leaves and

partly stems and seeds. The leaves give different tobacco products -

cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff and pipe. The value of the leaves is determined by the quality and quantity of the alkaloid nicotine, exercising specific physiological effects on the human organism.

What is nicotine?Nicotine is a

colorless highly poisonous alkaloid. Significant amounts of it accumulate in the leaves of coca, but in smaller amounts are found in potatoes, tomatoes and green peppers.

World distribution…

Tradition, History and Potential of Bulgarian Tobacco Production

Initial information on tobacco production in the Bulgarian territories dates back to the middle of 16th century, when these territories were within the borders of the Turkish Empire. Tobacco was transferred, most probably by Jewish merchants , in the areas along the rivers of Mesta and Strouma to Plovdiv and Haskovo. At that time tobacco was grown by Moslems for their own use only.

Bulgarian Tobacco industry

• From the liberation of Bulgaria in 1878 until 1900, tobacco was distributed gradually and mainly for personal use.

• The founding of the Cartel of Bulgarian United Tobacco Manufacturers in 1911 initiates the development of the tobacco industry. By 1921 Oriental tobacco production in the country reached 50 thousand tons, produced by some 125 thousand tobacco growers. During that time period tobacco export increased from 1.5 per cent to almost 50 per cent of the total Bulgarian export.

Tobacco production regions:Macedonian Tobacco Area - it spreads all over the south-western part of the country.

Plovdiv Tobacco Area - it spreads over the western part of the Thracian Plain

Other regions:Rodope -Thracian Plovdiv Tobacco Area• It covers the Eastern

Rodopes and almost the whole territory of South - eastern Bulgaria.

Tundja - Black Sea tobacco area -• it spreads over the eastern

part of South Bulgaria to the Black Sea.

Northern Bulgarian Area It covers the Oriental tobacco producing regions in the northern part of the country.

Typical Bulgarian Tobacco Varieties

• Oriental tobacco • Virginia tobacco - it was first introduced in Bulgaria in the region of Maglizh in 1937.

Burley Tobacco

• The first 155 tons of Burley tobacco were produced in Bulgaria in 1967, mainly for the needs of the Bulgarian cigarette industry.

• Production of Burley tobacco exists in Southern Bulgaria in the following regions: Pazardjik, Plovdiv, Yambol and Sliven as well as in North Bulgaria in: Silistra, Pleven, Vratza, Montana and Vidin.

Cigarettes production

• Cigarettes production business has over 100 years of history in Bulgaria, the larger part of it being related to Bulgartabac. The company was established in 1947 and it has been a holding company since 1993. The company operates nine enterprises on Bulgarian territory (Sofia, Plovdiv, Blagoevgrad, etc.)

Tobacco production from 1996 to 2000

Tobacco market:

Do you know that…?

31 May - World Day to Combat Smoking

This project has been funded with support from the European

Commission.This presentation reflects the views

only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held

responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained

therein.Thanks for your attention!