Tobacco originated in the American continent, and smoking is an American phenomenon. Tobacco was considered a sacred plant by the American Indians. Smoking the weed was part of their religious rituals from the time of the discovery of fire, from the time the fire was stolen from the Gods and given to the people. The smoke functioned in much the same fashion as the burning of sandalwood and various other spices in Asia. It was a ladder to the realm of the Gods, the direct connection to the Divine powers.