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CIGARS
Smoking was practiced by Native Americans in both North and South America as far back as 100 A.D. Tobacco was originally used by these people in religious ceremonies, but later it became common to smoke for pleasure.
When explorers fro Europe came to South America un the 1400s, they took the seeds of tobacco plants back to Europe. In Europe, people first smoked for medical purposes before taking up smoking for pleasure.
Paintings done by European artists show the Native Americans smoking thick rolls of tobacco tied at two ends. These must have been the first cigars. The word cigar comes from the Spanish word cigaro which probably is how Spanish explorers said the Mayan word sik'ar. This Mayan word means "to smoke."
The main difference between cigars and cigarettes is size. Cigars are much longer and thicker than cigarettes. on average, cigars are 10 to 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) long.
Cigars are also rolled in tobacco leaves while cigarettes are rolled in paper. The leaves used to roll cigars must be thin, smooth, and of good color for the best cigars.
The most expensive cigars are also rolled by hand, although today most cigars are rolled by machines. Many cigars are also rolled in manmade sheets of tobacco instead of natural tobacco leaves.
This use of tobacco sheets makes it easier to roll cigars all of the same color. Cigar makers are careful to match the color of the cigars found in one box during the packing of cigar boxes. Skilled cigar makers know by sight all 20 different colors into which cigars may be separated. The color of a cigar does not, however, show the strength of the cigar. (283 words)
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