Srinagar, Sept. 11 -- Tobacco belongs to the nightshade family and is cultivated for its dried leaves. The plant, growing 1-3 metres tall, produces broad leaves that are dried, processed, and manufactured into cigars, cigarettes, and chewing products. These forms of tobacco are lethal to human health and are linked to severe medical and social consequences. Tobacco use dates back to 1492 when Christopher Columbus discovered that natives of Tobago Island used dried leaves for pleasure. Since then, its consumption has spread worldwide. However, what was once seen as a pleasure has now become a global health crisis. Chemical Composition & Toxicity Cigarettes contain nearly 4,000 chemicals, of which 43 are carcinogenic. These include: Polycyc...