I'll look forward to Thorsten's response, but I can share one view
that I'm aware of. I've been around a fair number of native
Americans who use tobacco ceremonially, not for everyday
chain-smoking. They have been very specific in telling me that
tobacco in and of itself is a healing herb that is not addictive.
They then have said that they believe the problems of tobacco in our
culture and world-wide stem from the vast array of additives that
aren't naturally occurring in the tobacco plant itself. Therefore,
some of the tobacco products sold in such circles and to the large
number of non-natives picking up native practices emphasize "natural"
or "organic" production.
You asked "Why?". There's one rationale. I don't smoke, nor do I
know if there's any real experimental testing of those notions.
'Course another explanation might be that there's a lot of people who
may believe in healthful organic food who aren't living up to their
beliefs fully, but want to hedge their bets as much as
possible.......
For what it's worth...
Charlie Griffin
cgriffin@facts.ksu.edu