Discover the history of tobacco in the Soviet Union.
In Soviet films of yesteryear, we often see the male protagonists lighting a cigarette and talking with friends, and the smoke exudes an indescribable masculinity. This scene makes one wonder why tobacco was so fanfare in the public eye during the Soviet era.
The answer may have something to do with the boom in the Soviet tobacco market. From university professors in Moscow to Buryats women in the Far East, there is a habit of smoking in all walks of life. Even in Soviet times, there were official advertisements to encourage tobacco consumption. This phenomenon is reminiscent of the strict prohibition of alcohol during that period, but few voices about smoking bans are heard.
However, in fact, the USSR did not fail to try to ban smoking. The history of smoking is not very long, and its origins can be traced back to the time of Peter the Great at the end of the 17th century. In order to catch up with Western Europe, Peter the Great pushed through a series of reforms, one of which was to encourage the people of his country to adopt the habit of smoking. This habit gradually spread among the upper class and became a fashion at that time.
However, the attitude of the Orthodox Church towards tobacco is very different. They believe that the smoke from the smoker is the devil's ** and poses a threat to the purity of the mind. Despite the opposition of the church, the habit of smoking is gradually becoming widespread.
During the Tsarist period, the attitude of the upper classes towards smoking vacillated in the opposition between the royal family and the church. It wasn't until the end of the 19th century that smoking gradually became popular everywhere. Especially in the barracks, soldiers smoked a lot due to the bitterness of life, and even invented simple cigarette rolls known as "goat legs".
However, the physical and mental health effects of tobacco are becoming apparent. After scientific studies revealed the link between tobacco and digestive cancers, tachycardia, and other conditions, anti-tobacco voices are growing. The Bolshevik Party inherited this spirit, especially under the leadership of Comrade Lenin, who did not smoke.
After the October Revolution, Lenin repeatedly proposed a ban on the use of tobacco in Soviet Russia. His idea was firmly supported by the Minister of Health, Nikolai Semashko. However, the road to a smoke-free is not smooth, and barriers from tobacco stakeholders make this vision difficult to achieve. Despite a series of anti-smoking campaigns by health authorities, tobacco company advertisements are still ubiquitous, making anti-smoking efforts difficult.
This history not only reveals the changes in the tobacco market in the Soviet Union, but also shows the complex relationship between social habits, policy orientation and public health. Looking back on this period of history, one can't help but wonder: in our pursuit of modernization, have we also overlooked some potential threats to health? While pursuing the public interest, how should the interests of all parties be balanced?