Tobacco in Eurasia

What would be effects of tobacco plant (or something that is similar in characteristics) evolving somewhere on Eurasian continent? Or Africa for that matter.

Assuming history otherwise develops as per OTL (likely) how would its cultivation affect Europe? Would this lead to longer slavery or serfdom? It would compete to a degree with other crops so would this mean smaller population or would it make it less widespread and as such more expensive and its use limited?


Since this is evolutionary POD not sure if it should be ASB.
 
It would be useless if no civilization would have learnt how to consume that tobacco.
Old World is plenty of plants that could have been used as drugs but this use never happen or was unsuccessful. It's more a matter of culture that if the plant is available, because some analogues could have been used but no civilization went that way.
 
Interestingly, Nicotiana species exist is Australia and Africa, as well as the americas.

At a wild guess, little difference. Shamans use it but its not a big thing generally. Note that cannabis wasnt commonly smoked in Europe, so i dont suppose this hypothetical tobacco would be either.

Note that most of the cultures in North America that used tobacco used it as a medicinal/ritual plant, not for daily recreation.
 
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