2014 Event Tobacco company R. J. Reynolds must pay over $23 billion in resolution of a lawsuit filed by the widow of a man who died from lung cancer at age 36; the suit accused the company of hiding the health risks and habit-forming nature of cigarettes 2012 Event In England, lawmakers ban the display of tobacco products, hoping the move will lead to a reduction in the number of youths who smoke 1997 Event Mississippi becomes 1st state to settle tobacco suit 1997 Event Negotiators announce agreement in principle with tobacco industry 1995 Event Federal judge allows lawsuit claiming U.S. tobacco makers knew nicotine was addictive and manipulated its levels to keep customers hooked 1993 Death Doris Duke, heiress (American Tobacco Co), dies at 80 1987 Death Erskine Caldwell, novelist (Tobacco Road), dies at 83 1978 Death Zeb Turner, country-rock performer (Chew Tobacco Rag), dies at 62 1969 Event Tobacco advertising is banned on Canadian radio and TV 1956 Event France raises tobacco tax 20% due to war in Algeria 1936 Event RCA shows 1st real TV program (dancing, film on locomotives, Bonwit Teller fashion show and monologue from Tobacco Road and comedy) 1933 Event Jack Kirkland's "Tobacco Road," premieres in New York City 1930 Event U.S. tobacco industry produced 123 billion cigarettes in 1930 1915 Event Zeb Turner, country-rock performer (Chew Tobacco Rag) 1912 Birthday Doris Duke, New York City, heiress, American Tobacco Co 1912 Birthday Doris Duke, New York City, multi-millionaire, American Tobacco heiress 1910 Event U.S. tobacco industry produced 9 billion cigarettes in 1910 1903 Birthday Erskine P Caldwell, author, Tobacco Road, God's Little Acre 1890 Birthday James Barton, New Jersey, Broadway actor, Tobacco Road, Iceman Cometh 1890 Birthday Henry Hull, born in Louisville, Kentucky, actor, Tobacco Rd, Boys Town, High Sierra 1880 Event Tobacco Growers' Mutual Insurance Company incorporates in Connecticut 1869 Event Deli Me forms T B V tobacco in Sumatra 1865 Event Battle of Ft. Tobacco, Virginia 1862 Event Federal tax levied on tobacco 1862 Event Internal Revenue Law imposes 1st federal taxes on inheritance, tobacco and on incomes over $600 (progressive rate) 1639 Event Virginia is 1st colony to order surplus crops (tobacco) destroyed 1586 Event Sir Walter Raleigh brings 1st tobacco to England from Virginia 1558 Event Smoking tobacco introduced in Europe by Francisco Fernandes 1492 Event Christopher Columbus notes 1st recorded reference to tobacco
