National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I) Practice Exam

In which region was tobacco first cultivated?

1. South America

2. North America

3. Europe

4. Asia

The correct answer is: North America

Tobacco was first cultivated in North America, specifically by indigenous peoples long before the arrival of Europeans. They utilized tobacco in various cultural and spiritual rituals. The plant was notably grown in regions that are now known as the southeastern United States, where it thrived in the climate. The introduction of tobacco to wider audiences, especially in Europe, occurred after European explorers and settlers came into contact with Native Americans during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. This led to an increase in tobacco cultivation, but it began long before that in its native region of North America. While other regions like South America and parts of Asia also cultivated tobacco later on, North America is recognized as the center of its early cultivation and use, establishing a significant historical backdrop