The scarce Chilean historiography on this subject points out how smoking was a natural and essential habit among all social classes, including women and children. The product was raw tobacco from Saña (Peru), whose lower cost made it a favourite among modest smokers in the cities, while snuff, mainly of Cuban origin, was consumed exclusively in wealthy circles. During the year 1791, the consumption of raw tobacco in the city of Santiago was 80,672 pieces, equivalent to 110,924 pounds, while the consumption of powdered tobacco exceeded 4,000. From the beginning of the Spanish American conquest, the monarchy articulated a restrictive commercial system where the colonies constituted the point of network, transfer and distribution of tobacco products between America and Europe. After taking off in the 17th century, a purely monopolistic framework appeared during the 18th century, independent of each other and of the Spanish tobacco market. Towards the end of the colonial period, tobacco revenues contributed around 50% of total income to the Chilean Treasury, a proportion that gradually decreased to 10% in 1880, the year in which the tobacco market was abolished. The evolution of actual sales in Santiago reveals an upward trajectory with slight ups and downs from 1769 to 1839, with values ranging from 80,000 to 130,000 pesos, respectively. The behaviour of consumption contrasts with the uneven evolution of tobacco income.
Collection: Graphics
Project: 2. Social and economic impact of technological revolutions in Europe., 9. Travels and travelers: economic, social and cultural connections.
Chronology: XVIII, XIX
Scope: Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, University
Link: https://www.historiaagraria.com/FILE/articulos/RHA76_WEB_martinez_barraza.pdf
Resource type: Graph
Format: Line chart
Source: Martínez Barraza, Juan José, «Consumo de tabaco en Santiago de Chile durante el periodo tardío colonial e inicios de la era republicana», Historia Agraria, 76 (2018), pp. 123–156.
Language: Spanish
Date: 2018
Owner: Álvaro Romero González (Modernalia)
Copyright: © Juan José Martínez Barraza © Revista de Historia Agraria
Abstract: Evolution of tobacco sales in Santiago de Chile in the years 1771, 1827 and 1832
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