The Virginia Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). It's one of the two species of tobacco, commercially cultivated in KPK province of Pakistan. I used the term Virginia Tobacco, because this is the name, commonly used by our farmers for this species of tobacco. It's grown for the production of tobacco leaf, which is mainly used in cigarette industries. In spite of being a curse, the tobacco crop is not only a source of income for our farmers, but has great economic value for the country. About 40 % of all government excise taxes and 10 % of total government revenue are earned through tobacco and its products.

Nicotiana rustica

Nicotiana rustica, commonly known as Wild tobacco, Indian tobacco, Aztec tobacco Mapacho tobacco or Indigenous tobacco is a plant in the Solanaceae family. It is a very potent variety of tobacco, contains higher level of nicotine in its leaves as compared to other species of tobacco.
Nicotiana rustica is commercially grown in District Swabi and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The rustica tobacco is mainly used in Snuff (Naswar) industry locally. The snuff is made by grinding the tobacco leaves, together with ashes of tree bodies (Particularly sheesham tree). The snuff is used by putting under either of the lips. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa about 60% of male and 15% female use snuff. It's also smooked by using an instrument called hookha. However the use of hookha is decreasing day by day.
Tobacco (Nicotiana rustica and Nicotiana tabacum) is one of the major cash crops of Pakistan. Tobacco play an important role in Pakistan economy. About 40 % of all government excise taxes and 10 % of total government revenue are earned through tobacco and its products.
In spite of its economic value, the use of tobacco is an abuse and has short and long term health hazards. The trend of tobacco use in our people particularly in young generation is an alarming issue. There is no proper mass education or awareness regarding the use of tobacco and health risks associated with tobacco use. There is no minimum age limit for using tobacco and even children below 10 years of age use it freely without any restriction.